The influence of relational mutuality on dyadic coping among couples facing breast cancer

Abstract

Objective: The study examined how a couple’s capacity for mutuality as conceptualized by the Relational-Cultural Theory plays a role in their managing the stresses accompanying breast cancer.

Methods: Eighty-six women treated for a primary, non-metastatic breast cancer and their partners completed measures of quality of life, relational mutuality, and dyadic coping. Demographic and clinical factors were self-reported. The relationship between mutuality and dyadic coping was evaluated using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM).

Results: Relational mutuality was positively associated with both the patients’ and the caregivers’ scores on common and positive dyadic coping. Similarly, relational mutuality was associated with both patients’ and caregivers’ reduced scores on avoidance of dyadic coping.

Conclusions: Relational mutuality emerges as a significant factor in our understanding about dyadic coping in the context of cancer and this study highlights the role it plays in dyadic coping behaviors.

Implications: The promotion of relational mutuality in couples coping with cancer-related stress should be a major focus in couple-based interventions.

Keywords:

• APIM
• breast cancer
• couples
• dyadic coping
• mutuality

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by a research grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Breast Cancer Research Program. Chiara Acquati was supported by an American Cancer Society Doctoral Training Grant in Oncology Social Work (DSWR-15-091-03-SW).