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McPherson CJ, Devereaux A. A dyadic examination of patients' and caregivers' attachment orientations and mutually supportive care in cancer caregiving. Psychooncology 2024; 33:e6256. [PMID: 38047747 DOI: 10.1002/pon.6256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Families play a pivotal role in supporting one another during cancer. Research suggests that supportive care interactions between patients and their caregivers can have a positive effect on the physical health and well-being of both members of the dyad. However, few studies have investigated how patient and caregiver personality characteristics intersect with their perceptions of supportive exchanges. Adopting an attachment theory perspective, our aim was to examine the dyadic effects of patient and caregiver attachment orientations on mutually supportive care. METHODS Patients (n = 103) receiving cancer care and their caregivers (n = 99) completed a survey that comprised measures of attachment orientations (Experiences in Close Relationships Modified scale), and mutually supportive care (Shared Care Inventory, SCI-3): communication, decision-making and reciprocity. RESULTS Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIMs) were used to examine the association between participants' attachment orientations on their own (actor effects) SCI-3 outcomes and those of the other person within the dyad (partner effects). Across the APIMs, the tendency was for an inverse relationship between attachment (anxious and avoidant orientations) and mutually supportive care. Inspection of the effects and dyadic patterns supported actor and couple models. CONCLUSIONS Using a dyadic approach, it was possible to study both intrapersonal and interpersonal effects. Our findings point to interdependence within the cancer caregiving relationship and underscore the importance of considering how individual and relational ways of responding influence support. Attachment theory provides a framework for explaining the observed relationships and a basis for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alanna Devereaux
- Faculty of Health and Human Services, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
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2
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Castro RF, Araújo S, Marques A, Ferreira D, Rocha H, Aguiar S, Pieramico S, Quinta-Gomes A, Tavares IM, Nobre PJ, Carvalho J. Mapping the contributions of dyadic approaches to couples' psychosocial adaptation to prostate cancer: a scoping review. Sex Med Rev 2023; 12:35-47. [PMID: 37930753 DOI: 10.1093/sxmrev/qead044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prostate cancer is the second-most prevalent cancer diagnosis worldwide among males. Although prostate cancer affects the physical, sexual, and mental health of patients, the impact of prostate cancer on partners has also been increasingly recognized. Hence, taking a dyadic approach is of relevance. Moreover, there is evidence of the utility of dyadic approaches to the study of relational stress that chronic diseases such as prostate cancer can bring to couples, even though knowledge is sparse about prostate cancer. OBJECTIVES This scoping review aimed to map existing dyadic studies on the psychosocial adaptation of couples to prostate cancer. METHODS A systematic search of studies published from 2005 to November 2022 was conducted on electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCOHost, Scopus, and Web of Science) following PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses-Extension for Scoping Reviews). RESULTS The review included 25 eligible studies from the initial 2514 articles retrieved. Overall, the results emphasized the interdependency between couple members and suggested how partners' adaptation influences patients' adaptation to prostate cancer and vice versa, regarding several psychosocial dimensions (eg, intimacy, quality of life). CONCLUSIONS This work can bring awareness to health care professionals to adopt a couples approach when managing prostate cancer whenever there is a partner, due to these interdependent influences. For researchers and future studies, this work can strengthen the relevance of dyadic approaches on how couples adapt to prostate cancer and explore which other dimensions influence these complex dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita F Castro
- Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at University of Porto, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Silvana Araújo
- School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Ana Marques
- Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at University of Porto, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Diana Ferreira
- Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at University of Porto, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Hélia Rocha
- Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at University of Porto, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Sandra Aguiar
- Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at University of Porto, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Sonia Pieramico
- Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at University of Porto, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Ana Quinta-Gomes
- Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at University of Porto, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Inês M Tavares
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Pedro J Nobre
- Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at University of Porto, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Joana Carvalho
- William James Center for Research, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
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Shen B, Sun J, Yu Z, Xu G, Zhou Y. Are couple-based psychological interventions beneficial for the mental health of prostate cancer patients and their spouses? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Psychother 2023. [PMID: 37905476 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
As the survival rates for prostate cancer (PCa) have improved, there has been an increasing focus on the mental health of couples affected by this condition. There have been several couple-based psychological interventions, and yet the impact of this treatment modality on the mental health of PCa patients and their spouses is unclear. Consequently, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, LILACS, and Web of Science up to March 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) addressing the impacts of couple-based psychological interventions on both PCa patients and their spouses. Besides, the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was employed to evaluate the methodological quality and potential bias of the included studies. Moreover, statistical analysis and meta-analysis were performed utilizing Revman 5.4, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was employed to assess the certainty of evidence. A total of nine RCTs were included, utilizing anxiety, depression, distress, communication, and self-efficacy as outcome indicators to assess mental health. Results demonstrated that couple-based psychological interventions increased spouses' self-efficacy (WMD, 0.21; 95% CI: -0.00 ~ 0.42; P = 0.05) and communication (SMD, 0.34; 95% CI: 0.09 ~ 0.59; P = 0.009), while reducing their distress (SMD, -0.21; 95% CI: -0.40 ~ -0.02; P = 0.03). Nonetheless, there is a need for additional research on the effect of couple-based psychological interventions on the mental health of PCa-affected couples given the limited evidence supporting this conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Shen
- Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianhong Sun
- Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhenliang Yu
- Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yaoying Zhou
- Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Nursing, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
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Acquati C, Miller-Sonet E, Zhang A, Ionescu E. Social Wellbeing in Cancer Survivorship: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Self-Reported Relationship Closeness and Ambivalence from a Community Sample. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:1720-1732. [PMID: 36826094 PMCID: PMC9955865 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Improvements in early screening and treatment have contributed to the growth of the number of cancer survivors. Understanding and mitigating the adverse psychosocial, functional, and economic outcomes they experience is critical. Social wellbeing refers to the quality of the relationship with partners/spouses, children, or significant others. Close relationships contribute to quality of life and self-management; however, limited literature exists about social wellbeing during survivorship. This study examined positive and negative self-reported changes in a community sample of 505 cancer survivors. Fourteen items assessed changes in communication, closeness with partner/children, stability of the relationship, and caregiving burden. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted using a robust weighted least square procedure. Differences by sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were investigated. Respondents were mostly male, non-Hispanic white, and ≥4 years since diagnosis. Two factors, labeled Relationship Closeness and Ambivalence, emerged from the analysis. Women, younger survivors, individuals from minority groups, and those with lower income experienced greater negative changes in social wellbeing. Variations by treatment status, time since diagnosis, and institution were also reported. This contribution identifies groups of cancer survivors experiencing affected social wellbeing. Results emphasize the need to develop interventions sustaining the quality of interpersonal relationships to promote long-term outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Acquati
- Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-713-743-4343
| | | | - Anao Zhang
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Elena Ionescu
- Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
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Boersma-van Dam E, van de Schoot R, Engelhard IM, Van Loey NEE. Posttraumatic stress symptoms and interpersonal processes in burn survivors and their partners. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2151097. [PMID: 36867741 PMCID: PMC9731584 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2022.2151097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A burn event can elicit symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in survivors and their partners and may impact the way these couple members interact with each other. They may try to protect each other from further emotional distress by avoiding talking about the burn event, but they may also show concern towards each other.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate bidirectional relationships between survivor's and partner's PTSD symptoms and two interpersonal processes: partner-oriented 'self-regulation', which is avoidance-oriented, and 'expressed concern', which is approach-oriented.Method: In this longitudinal multi-centre study, 119 burn survivors and their partners participated. Measures of PTSD symptoms, self-regulation, and expressed concern were administered in the acute phase following the burns, and follow-ups took place up to 18 months postburn. Intra- and interpersonal effects were examined in a random intercept cross-lagged panel model. Exploratory effects of burn severity were also investigated.Results: Within individuals, survivor's expressed concern predicted later higher levels of survivor's PTSD symptoms. In their partners, self-regulation and PTSD symptoms reinforced each other in the early phase postburn. Between the two couple members, partner's expressed concern predicted later lower levels of survivor's PTSD symptoms. Exploratory regression analyses showed that burn severity moderated the effect of survivor's self-regulation on survivor's PTSD symptoms, indicating that self-regulation was continuously related to higher levels of PTSD symptoms over time within more severely burned survivors, but not in less severely burned survivors.Conclusion: PTSD symptoms and self-regulation reinforced each other in partners and possibly also in more severely burned survivors. Partner's expressed concern was related to lower levels of survivor's PTSD symptoms, whereas survivor's expressed concern was related to higher levels of survivor's PTSD symptoms. These findings emphasize the importance of screening for and monitoring PTSD symptoms in burn survivors and their partner and of encouraging couple's self-disclosure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Boersma-van Dam
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Beverwijk, Netherlands
| | - Rens van de Schoot
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Optentia Research Program, Faculty of Humanities, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
| | - Iris M Engelhard
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Nancy E E Van Loey
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Harju E, Rantanen A, Helminen M, Kaunonen M, Isotalo T, Åstedt-Kurki P. The marital relationship and health-related quality of life of prostate cancer patients and their spouses: A prospective, longitudinal study. Int J Nurs Pract 2022; 28:e13093. [PMID: 35971274 PMCID: PMC10078317 DOI: 10.1111/ijn.13093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study aims to measure any changes in the marital relationship during the first year after a diagnosis of prostate cancer, identify the demographic characteristics that influenced such changes, and measure changes related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL). BACKGROUND Knowledge is limited on the impact of a diagnosis of prostate cancer on the marital relationship and HRQoL of patients and their spouses. DESIGN A 1-year longitudinal study. METHODS Data were collected from five Finnish hospitals between October 2013 and January 2017. Of the 350 recruited couples (N = 700), 179 patients and 166 spouses completed the Marital Questionnaire and the RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1 year after diagnosis. RESULTS No major changes were found in the marital relationship during the follow-up period. The spouses reported statistically significant changes in their marital relationships, but the patients did not. Furthermore, changes in the marital relationship were not associated with the patients' HRQoL. Among spouses, emotional well-being was associated with changes in the marital relationship. CONCLUSION The marital relationship was relevant in terms of the spouses' HRQoL during the first year after a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Nurses and other healthcare providers should assess counselling and support provided to spouses individually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eeva Harju
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Surgery, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anja Rantanen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Nursing Science, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Mika Helminen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Tays Research Services, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Marja Kaunonen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Nursing Science, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Department of General Administration, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Taina Isotalo
- Department of Surgery, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland
| | - Päivi Åstedt-Kurki
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Nursing Science, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Department of General Administration, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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7
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Hasson-Ohayon I, Goldzweig G, Braun M, Hagedoorn M. Beyond "being open about it": A systematic review on cancer related communication within couples. Clin Psychol Rev 2022; 96:102176. [PMID: 35700574 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Extensive literature addresses the correlates of communication behaviors within couples in the specific stressful context of oncology. This literature focused mainly on the concepts of disclosure, concealment, holding back and protective buffering to gain more insight into the potential benefits of open communication on the psychological and relational wellbeing of the patient, the spouse and the dyad. The current systematic review aims to present this literature, summarize research findings and suggest empirical, theoretical and clinical implications. Methods: The search method applied in this review was in line with the PRISMA guidelines. Key words related to couples' communication and oncology were used to identify relevant studies according to title and abstract fields from 1.1.2000 until 31.1.22. Results: Out of 3277 papers, a total of 55 articles were identified as relevant for this review. These quantitative studies used cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. Overall, integrating findings from different studies showed that while avoiding communication is negatively associated with psychological and relational wellbeing, the benefits of disclosure seems to be dependent on different factors including the partner's responsiveness, contextual factors and personal characteristics. The existing literature is limited in providing data regarding the nature of adequate or helpful partner responses, the best timing, and the specific topics that are recommended to be disclosed such as specific fears. Most importantly, it is limited in heterogeneity of constructs of communication that were studied, scales that were used and diverse mediators and moderators that were examined. Accordingly, an effort to reach consensus of definition and assessment of communicative behavior is recommended for future studies, and addressing responsiveness to communicative initiations seems to be important for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mariët Hagedoorn
- Department of Health Psychology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Chen M, Gong J, Cao Q, Luo X, Li J, Li Q. A literature review of the relationship between dyadic coping and dyadic outcomes in cancer couples. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2021; 54:102035. [PMID: 34520996 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2021.102035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Couples are usually affected by cancer as patient-partner dyads, and they may react as a unit rather than as individuals, i.e., dyadic coping. This paper aims to comprehensively summarise the relationship between dyadic coping and dyadic outcomes (relationship satisfaction, quality of life, and psychological adjustment) in cancer couples, and provide valuable evidence to guide future research. METHOD A systematic search of five online databases, e.g., Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, PubMed, and PsycINFO, was conducted to identify cancer couple-based studies published in English or Chinese from January 1990 to March 2021. A manual search was also performed on the article reference lists. RESULTS Twenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. We found that communication, supportive dyadic coping, delegated dyadic coping and common dyadic coping might strengthen marital bonds, alleviate couples' stress, and facilitate mental health, but on the other hand, they possibly increase patients' and/or partners' physical or psychological burden. Negative dyadic coping and protective buffering were related to lower relationship satisfaction, worse quality of life, and more depressive symptoms. Patients reported more self-emotional disclosure, common dyadic coping, and negative dyadic coping than partners, while partners showed more holding back, supportive dyadic coping, delegated dyadic coping, and protective buffering. Moreover, patients were more susceptible to dyadic coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS This review provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between dyadic coping and dyadic outcomes. Based on the available evidence, the development of personalised interventions for improving dyadic coping is required to help couples live better with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meizhen Chen
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jiali Gong
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Qian Cao
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Xingjuan Luo
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jieyu Li
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Qiuping Li
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.
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