Cross-sectional relationships between dyadic coping and anxiety, depression, and relationship satisfaction for patients with prostate cancer and their spouses

Abstract

Objective: Dyadic coping has an impact on couples' adjustment to breast cancer; however, there is limited evidence regarding whether dyadic coping influences couples' adjustment to other types of cancer. The objective of this analysis was to further our knowledge of the relationships between dyadic coping, anxiety, depression, and relationship satisfaction among couples facing prostate cancer.

Methods: Forty-two men recently diagnosed with prostate cancer recruited from urology clinics and their spouses completed measures of dyadic coping, anxiety, depression, and relationship satisfaction. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model was used to examine the relationships among these concepts.

Results: Relationship satisfaction was significantly associated with patients' and wives' use of positive and negative dyadic coping, and their partners' use of these strategies. Although patients' and wives' use of supportive dyadic coping was not associated with their anxiety and depression, their partner's use of this strategy was associated with anxiety and depression. Only husbands' and wives' perceptions of their partner's negative dyadic coping was associated with anxiety and depression.

Conclusions/practice implications: Couples respond to a prostate cancer diagnosis as an interactional system. Future research should focus on tailoring couple-based interventions such that patients and spouses are equipped to provide the specific support their partners need.

Keywords: Couples; Distress; Dyadic coping; Prostate cancer; Relationships.