Perceived Partner Adaptation and Psychosocial Outcomes for Newly Diagnosed Stage I and Stage II Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

The current study examines the relationship between a woman's perception of her partner's emotional, behavioral, and intimate adaptation to her breast cancer and her levels of distress, well-being, and social support. Sixty-six women diagnosed with Stage I or II breast cancer within the previous year completed distress, well-being and social support measures and answered open-ended questions describing their partners’ adaptation to their cancer. Women whose partners’ intimate adaptation is positive had significantly lower distress, and positive emotional and intimate adaptation was related to higher well-being and social support. These results suggest that efforts to address women's psychosocial needs during their initial treatment of breast cancer should include a focus on their relationships and, possibly, interventions aimed at assisting the adjustment of their spouse or significant other.

KEYWORDS:

• partner adaptation
• breast cancer
• distress
• well-being
• social support

This article is based on the second author's dissertation study in partial fulfillment of her doctoral program requirements at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The study was partially supported by a study funded by the National Cancer Institute (Salzer, P.I.: 1R21CA098888–01A1).

The authors would like to thank Joretha Bourjolly for her input on the qualitative questions used in this study.

Notes

^aLower scores indicate better outcomes (less distress).

^bHigher scores indicate better outcomes (better well being and social support).