A systematic review of dyadic studies examining depression in couples facing breast cancer

Abstract

Problem identification: The aim was to synthesize the dyadic literature on depression among couples in which one person has breast cancer.

Literature search: A database search (PubMed, PsychInfo, CINAHL) was conducted to synthesize the literature. Studies’ methodological quality was evaluated, and correlates of depression/interdependence were abstracted.

Data evaluation/synthesis: Ten (of 270) studies met the inclusion criteria and were of satisfactory methodological quality. Depression is prevalent in both patients and partners, and was correlated with many psychosocial variables including sexual satisfaction, relationship quality, social support, and appraisal of health. Depression in one member of the dyad predicted depression in their companion.

Conclusions: Levels of relationship quality, sexual satisfaction, and support felt by couples facing breast cancer may be predictive of depression in each individual. The depressive state of one partner appears to influence the other. More research is needed to support dyadic strategies for mitigating depression in couples facing breast cancer.

Keywords:

• Breast cancer
• couples
• depression
• depressive disorders
• dyads
• neoplasms

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Marcus Spann, Librarian, for his expert guidance throughout the systematic literature search.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.