A couple-based intervention for female breast cancer

Objective: Although women's breast cancer affects both women and their male partners, as well as their relationships, few interventions have been developed to work with couples confronting breast cancer. The current investigation presents the pilot results from a new couple‐based intervention p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psycho-oncology (Chichester, England) England), 2009-03, Vol.18 (3), p.276-283
Main Authors: Baucom, Donald H., Porter, Laura S., Kirby, Jennifer S., Gremore, Tina M., Wiesenthal, Naomi, Aldridge, William, Fredman, Steffany J., Stanton, Susan E., Scott, Jennifer L., Halford, Kim W., Keefe, Francis J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - epidemiology
Breast Neoplasms - psychology
couple interventions
Couple therapy
Couples
couples and cancer
Couples Therapy
Depression - epidemiology
Depression - etiology
Depression - therapy
Female
Females
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Intervention
Interventions
Middle Aged
Oncology
Psychological aspects
Psychological functioning
Psychology
Romantic relationships
social support and cancer
women's breast cancer
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Summary:Objective: Although women's breast cancer affects both women and their male partners, as well as their relationships, few interventions have been developed to work with couples confronting breast cancer. The current investigation presents the pilot results from a new couple‐based intervention program for breast cancer that teaches couples how to minimize negative effects and maximize positive functioning during this difficult time. Method: In this pilot study, 14 couples in which the wife had early stage breast cancer were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment conditions: Couple‐based relationship enhancement (RE) or treatment‐as‐usual (TAU). Results: The results from this study suggest that compared with couples receiving treatment‐as‐usual, both women and men in the RE condition experienced improved functioning on individual psychological variables as well as relationship functioning at posttest and 1‐year follow‐up. In addition, women in RE show fewer medical symptoms at both time periods. Conclusions: In this pilot study, the couple‐based intervention, RE, has shown promise in improving individual, medical, and relationship functioning for couples in which the woman is facing breast cancer, and therefore merits further investigation on a larger scale. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:1057-9249
1099-1611
DOI:10.1002/pon.1395