OBJECTIVE: Dyadic coping has an impact on couples' adjustment to breast cancer; however, there is limited evidence regarding whether dyadic coping influences couples' adjustment to other types of cancer.
The objective of this analysis was to further our knowledge of the relationships between dyadic coping, anxiety, depression, and relationship satisfaction among couples facing prostate cancer.
METHODS: Forty-two men recently diagnosed with prostate cancer recruited from urology clinics and their spouses completed measures of dyadic coping, anxiety, depression, and relationship satisfaction. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model was used to examine the relationships among these concepts.
RESULTS: Relationship satisfaction was significantly associated with patients' and wives' use of positive and negative dyadic coping, and their partners' use of these strategies. Although patients' and wives' use of supportive dyadic coping was not associated with their anxiety and depression, their partner's use of this strategy was associated with anxiety and depression. Only husbands' and wives' perceptions of their partner's negative dyadic coping was associated with anxiety and depression.
CONCLUSIONS/PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Couples respond to a prostate cancer diagnosis as an interactional system. Future research should focus on tailoring couple-based interventions such that patients and spouses are equipped to provide the specific support their partners need.
Written by:
Regan TW, Lambert SD, Kelly B, McElduff P, Girgis A, Kayser K, Turner J. Are you the author?
Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Australia; Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Kent School of Social Work, The University of Louisville, Louisville, USA; School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Reference: Patient Educ Couns. 2014 Jul;96(1):120-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2014.04.010
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24880791
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