Dyadic coping of patients with hematologic malignancies and their partners and its relation to quality of life – a longitudinal study

Abstract

Coping with cancer can potentially modify couples’ quality of life (QoL). The predictive impact of dyadic coping (DC) on QoL was investigated within patients with hematological cancer and their partners. Data were collected in a multi-centre longitudinal study (N = 208 couples). We use the SF-12 questionnaire (QoL) and the Dyadic Coping Inventory. Data were mainly analyzed with actor–partner interdependence models (APIM). Within the APIM, baseline QoL was the most significant predictor for QoL (t2). Regarding DC, there were partner effects on physical QoL (t2) and actor and partner effects on mental QoL at t2. Different subtypes of DC have intra- and/or interpersonal impact on patient’s or partner’s QoL. In a clinical setting, patients as well as partners should be seen as both a source of support for each other and as individuals in need of support themselves. Such awareness and targeted intervention may help couples adapt to and cope with cancer.

Keywords:

• Couples
• dyadic coping
• hematological cancer
• longitudinal study
• partner
• psycho-oncology
• quality of life

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all participating couples for contributing to the study. We would also like to thank Michael Friedrich (Medical Psychology & Medical This work was supported by a grant from the Deutsche José Carreras Leukämie-Stiftung (grant no. DJCLS R 12/36). Sociology, Leipzig) for his methodical support in the study. This work was supported by a grant from the Deutsche José Carreras Leukämie-Stiftung (grant no. DJCLS R 12/36).

Potential conflict of interest

Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10428194.2016.1194983.