Cancer-related communication, relationship intimacy, and psychological distress among couples coping with localized prostate cancer Journal Article
| Authors: | Manne, S.; Badr, H.; Zaider, T.; Nelson, C.; Kissane, D. |
| Article Title: | Cancer-related communication, relationship intimacy, and psychological distress among couples coping with localized prostate cancer |
| Abstract: | Introduction: The present study evaluated intimacy as a mechanism for the effects of relationship-enhancing (self-disclosure, mutual constructive communication) and relationship-compromising communication (holding back, mutual avoidance, and demand-withdraw communication) on couples' psychological distress. Methods: Seventy-five men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer in the past year and their partners completed surveys about communication, intimacy, and distress. Results: Multi-level models with the couple as unit of analyses indicated that the association between mutual constructive communication, mutual avoidance, and patient demand-partner withdraw and distress could be accounted for by their influence on relationship intimacy. Intimacy did not mediate associations between self-disclosure, holding back, and partner demand-patient withdraw communication and distress. Discussion/conclusions: These findings indicate that the way in which couples talk about cancer-related concerns as well as the degree to which one or both partners avoid talking about cancer-related concerns can either facilitate or reduce relationship intimacy, and that it is largely by this mechanism that these three communication strategies impact psychological distress. Implications for cancer survivors: Relationship intimacy and how patients and partners communicate to achieve this intimacy is important for the psychological adjustment of early stage prostate cancer survivors and their partners. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009. |
| Keywords: | controlled study; middle aged; clinical trial; quality of life; controlled clinical trial; randomized controlled trial; prostate cancer; prostatic neoplasms; adaptive behavior; psychological aspect; adaptation, psychological; depression; pilot study; pilot projects; prostate tumor; communication; interpersonal communication; human relation; mental stress; stress, psychological; couple communication; relationship intimacy; interpersonal relations |
| Journal Title: | Journal of Cancer Survivorship |
| Volume: | 4 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| ISSN: | 1932-2259 |
| Publisher: | Springer |
| Date Published: | 2010-01-01 |
| Start Page: | 74 |
| End Page: | 85 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11764-009-0109-y |
| PUBMED: | 19967408 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC2828868 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 1" - "Export Date: 20 April 2011" - "Source: Scopus" |
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