The caring experience and supportive care needs of male partners for women with gynaecologic cancer: A qualitative literature review

Adjustment and coping in spousal caregivers of cervical cancer patients in Ghana: A qualitative phenomenological study

Cervical cancer is a common and significant health issue for women worldwide. To address the dearth of research on male partners' experiences when their significant others are diagnosed with cervical cancer, we aim to explore the unique challenges and perspectives encountered by men in these circumstances. The study adopted interpretive phenomenological analysis to qualitatively assess the experiences of males with partners diagnosed of cervical cancer. A phenomenological research design with purposive sampling technique was used to recruit and collect data from 38 participants until saturation occurred. Face to face interviews were conducted using a developed semi-structured interview guide. The data collected was analyzed using content analysis after verbatim transcription was done. The study resulted in the identification of 2 main themes, and 10 subthemes. These themes focused on the multifaceted impact of cervical cancer on spousal caregivers' lives and the coping and support mechanisms utilized by spouses of cervical cancer patients. The findings indicated that men faced several challenging experiences as a result of their spouses' condition and revealed the strategies they employed to cope with the stress of caring for their wives. Almost every man adopted a strategy to cope with the condition of their wives. This study would assist other men to understand the psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual experiences the men went through to appreciate and adopt their coping strategies whenever they go through such challenges.

Dyadic coping, resilience, and quality of life in young and middle-aged couples after gynecologic cancer: An actor-partner interdependence mediation model

PURPOSE

To examine the effects of dyadic coping on quality of life (QoL) and the mediating role of resilience in these effects among young and middle-aged couples after gynecologic cancer (GC).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2022 and June 2023 from one tertiary hospital in Wuhan, China. 240 pairs of young and middle-aged GC couples were recruited. The demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the Dyadic Coping Inventory, the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey were used to collect data. The process of dyadic analysis was based on the actor-partner interdependence mediation model.

RESULTS

GC patients' dyadic coping had an actor effect on both their own physical and mental QoL, while spouses' dyadic coping only exerted an actor effect on their own mental QoL. The mediating effects of resilience on the relationship between dyadic coping and QoL were identified in dyads. Moreover, spouses' dyadic coping could indirectly influence patients' QoL through their own and patients' resilience.

CONCLUSION

The findings confirm the dyadic relationships between dyadic coping, resilience, and QoL among young and middle-aged couples facing GC. These results suggest that it is necessary to develop couple-based interventions to improve dyadic coping and resilience, thus enhancing the QoL of both members.

Experiences of Muslim women living with gynaecological cancer and family caregivers

BACKGROUND

Cancer has a large impact on the life of the diagnosed person and also their caregivers, who are typically family members. The impact of cancer on a Muslim woman and her caregivers has not been well researched because of cultural and social constraits.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to explorel the experiences of Muslim women with gynaecological cancers and their family caregivers.

METHODS

A descriptive phenomenological approach was adopted. A convenience sample was used in the research.

FINDINGS

The study findings were grouped into four major themes: the initial reaction to a cancer diagnosis from women and their caregivers, difficulties the patient and caregiver experienced (physiological, psychological, social and sexual), coping with cancer and expectations that caregivers and patients have of the institution and the health personnel. It was determined that during this disease and treatment, both the patients and caregivers faced difficulties, which can be categorised as physiological, psychological, social and sexual. Muslim women with gynaecological cancer frequently used coping behaviours, such as worshiping and believing that illness and healing come from God during the illness process.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients and their family caregivers lived through various difficulties. Healthcare professionals need to consider the expectations of patients with gynecological cancer, alongside those of their family caregivers. Nurses can help Muslim patients and their families cope with the problems they experience by being aware of the positive coping methods of Muslim cancer patients and their caregivers. Nurses should consider individuals' religious beliefs and cultural differences while giving care.

Supportive care needs of women with gynaecological cancer: A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies

AIMS

To synthesize existing qualitative research evidence on the supportive care needs of women with gynaecological cancer.

DESIGN

Qualitative systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

A comprehensive literature search was performed using nine databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang) without restrictions regarding publication date; qualitative studies published in English or Chinese were included. Initial search in December 2021 and updated in October 2022.

REVIEW METHODS

This study was conducted according to the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool for qualitative research was used to assess the quality of all included papers. Finally, we adopted a thematic synthesis method, synthesized the main findings, and constructed themes.

RESULTS

Eleven studies published between 2010 and 2021 were included in the review. Based on the thematic synthesis method, 10 descriptive themes were generated and five analytical themes were derived: psychological support, information support, social support, disease-specific symptom management and form of care. Women with gynaecological cancer expressed a desire for psychological support from empathetic healthcare professionals; information support included access to adequate and appropriate information, as well as communication and involvement; social support highlighted women's desire for peer support, family-related support and financial support; disease-specific symptom management described women's desire for support in coping with reproduction/sexual issues and form of care highlighted the need for continuity of care and holistic care.

CONCLUSION

The supportive care needs of women with gynaecological cancer are multidimensional and complex. The future care practice should take women's needs as a starting point and provide ongoing holistic and individualized support. Healthcare providers' understanding and support of these needs are critical to improving women's clinical outcomes and quality of care.

IMPACT

The present findings can help further develop supportive care programmes and make nursing interventions more targeted and effective.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

Never forsake-The positive experiences of dyadic coping among patients with acute leukemia and their spouses: A qualitative study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the positive experiences of dyadic coping between patients with acute leukemia and their spouses in China, and to highlight the target factors that could promote coping and adaptation.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive study was employed. This study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in China from September 2021 to February 2022. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants, and 17 patients diagnosed with acute leukemia and their spouses were interviewed. Qualitative data were analyzed using the content analysis method. This study followed the COREQ checklist.

RESULTS

This study's data were categorized into five themes and twelve subthemes: (1) adapting to a new role-couples used role adjustments to adapt; (2) commitment to companionship-patients benefit from spousal commitment in word or in deed; (3) active communication-allows couples to get to know each other better; (4) white lies-shield partner from negative information; (5) seeking external support-outside of couple cohesion. In sum, positive dyadic coping experiences between couples follow the marital commitment of "never forsake."

CONCLUSIONS

This study contributes new knowledge to the understanding of the dyadic coping experiences of patients with acute leukemia and their spouses within the Chinese social-cultural context and contributes to cross-cultural comparisons. The results can be used to design and implement couple-based intervention programs to support couples by enhancing their mutual support to cope with and adjust to acute leukemia effectively.

Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among spouses of women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer: A cross-sectional study

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore the factors that are associated with posttraumatic growth among spouses of women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional descriptive study.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 312 spouses of women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer was recruited from two comprehensive hospitals in China, from March 2018 to March 2020. Demographic characteristics, cancer-related characteristics, posttraumatic growth, perceived social support and coping were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. The methods were guided by the STROBE checklist.

RESULTS

The mean score of posttraumatic growth was 46.7 (standard deviation = 16.7). The associated factors of posttraumatic growth were spouses' age, perceived social support, problem-focused coping, dysfunctional coping (e.g. denial) and cancer treatment received by partners, which accounted for 34% of total posttraumatic growth score.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

All participants contributed to the conducting of this study by completing self-reported questionnaires.

[Sexual and social adjustments of indonesian male partners of gynecological cancer survivor]

OBJECTIVE

This study explores the sexual and social adjustments of the partners of gynecological cancer survivors in Indonesia.

METHOD

Phenomenological research interviewed seven male participants whose spouses sought gynecological cancer treatment at the Army Hospital in Jakarta from July to August 2020. The collected data were transcribed and thematically analyzed.

RESULTS

The male partners described their loss of sexual desire and intimacy. They indicated a constructed sexual and social adjustments, including having sexual distractions, alternative sexual activities, and performing extended roles in the family after their partner's diagnosis and treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These research findings suggest that oncology and family nursing interventions should mitigate the gynecological cancer survivors and partners' sexual and social distress to enhance the couple's relationship and well-being after a gynecological cancer diagnosis.