Perception of disease, dyadic coping and the quality of life of oncology patients in the active treatment phase and their life partners: Study protocol of an approach based on the actor-partner interdependence model

Perception of disease, dyadic coping, and the quality of life of oncology patients in the active treatment phase and their life partners: an approach based on the actor-partner interdependence model

Objective

The aim of this study based on the Systemic Transactional Model was to examine the relationship between dyadic coping and (1) disease perception and (2) quality of life of a sample of cancer patients and their life partners.

Method

This cross-sectional study included 138 oncological dyads. The following questionnaires were used: Stress Appraisal Measure, Dyadic Coping Inventory, and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30. Data collected was analysed by applying the actor-partner interdependence model.

Results

The perception of the disease as a threat as well as its centrality significantly negatively influences the positive forms of dyadic coping whilst the perception of the disease as a challenge has a significant positive influence on them. Dyadic coping does not influence symptoms but has significant influences on global health/quality of life.

Conclusion

This study has highlighted new information regarding how couples cope with cancer. The results encourage the inclusion of the perception of the disease and dyadic coping in interventions that aim to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their life partners.

Associations of perceived and common dyadic coping with self-care in older couples with cardiovascular disease: A dyadic analysis

BACKGROUND

Dyadic engagement of patients and caregivers in self-care is essential for management of heart disease. However, little is known how dyadic coping at individual and partner levels is associated with self-care in couples living with cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined whether dyadic coping at self, partner, and common levels was associated with patients' engagement in self-care and spouses' contribution to self-care in older couples living with cardiovascular disease.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 288 older patients and spouses were recruited from outpatient heart clinics in Qazvin, north of Iran. Data were collected using the Dyadic Coping Inventory, the Self-care of Coronary Heart Disease Inventory, and the Caregiver's Contribution to Self-care of Coronary Heart Disease. Dyadic data were analyzed using the actor-partner interdependence model.

RESULTS

The results showed that patients' engagement in self-care maintenance was associated with partner dyadic coping in patients, self and common dyadic coping in spouses. Patients' engagement in self-care monitoring was only associated with self dyadic coping in spouses. Dyadic analysis also showed that self-care confidence in patients was only associated with by partner dyadic coping in spouses.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that self-care was associated with dyadic coping employed by each member of the dyad at self, partner and common levels. Findings of this study suggest that perceived and provided levels of dyadic coping can be employed for maintaining or restoring self-management in older couples living with cardiovascular disease.