Table 4 Descriptive and inferential statistics

Descriptive statistics

˗ Exploratory data analysis (value distribution, analyses of variance)

˗ Cross table evaluation incl. Control variables (sociodemographic, disease specific)

˗ Correlation analysis

Inferential statistics

˗ Comparisons of means (t-test or Mann-Whitney-U-test)

˗ Multivariate analyses of variance (for multiple dependent variables), general linear model

˗ (Multiple) logistic Regression for identification of predictors and determination of effectiveness

˗ Actor-partner-interdependence model in order to investigate reciprocal influence within the dyad