Intimacy-enhancing psychological intervention for men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their partners: A pilot study Journal Article
| Authors: | Manne, S. L.; Kissane, D. W.; Nelson, C. J.; Mulhall, J. P.; Winkel, G.; Zaider, T. |
| Article Title: | Intimacy-enhancing psychological intervention for men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their partners: A pilot study |
| Abstract: | Introduction. Few couple-focused interventions have been developed to improve distress and relationship outcomes among men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer and their partners. Aims. We examined the effects of a five-session Intimacy-Enhancing Therapy (IET) vs. Usual Care (UC) on the psychological and relationship functioning of men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer and their partners. Pre-intervention levels of psychological and relationship functioning were evaluated as moderators of intervention effects. Methods. Seventy-one survivors and their partners completed a baseline survey and were subsequently randomly assigned to receive five sessions of IET or UC (no treatment). Eight weeks after the baseline assessment, a follow-up survey was administered to survivor and partner. Main Outcome Measures. Distress, well-being, relationship satisfaction, relationship intimacy, and communication were investigated as the main outcomes. Results. IET effects were largely moderated by pre-intervention psychosocial and relationship factors. Those survivors who had higher levels of cancer concerns at pretreatment had significantly reduced concerns following IET. Similar moderating effects for pre-intervention levels were reported for the effects of IET on self-disclosure, perceived partner disclosure, and perceived partner responsiveness. Among partners beginning the intervention with higher cancer-specific distress, lower marital satisfaction, lower intimacy, and poorer communication, IET improved these outcomes. Conclusions. IET had a marginally significant main effect upon survivor well-being but was effective among couples with fewer personal and relationship resources. Subsequent research is needed to replicate these findings with a larger sample and a longer follow-up. © 2010 International Society for Sexual Medicine. |
| Keywords: | adult; clinical article; treatment outcome; aged; outcome assessment; randomized controlled trial; prostate cancer; pilot study; distress syndrome; interpersonal communication; marriage; psychotherapy; wellbeing; normal human; perception; psychological intervention; cancer and sexual quality of life; intimacy-enhancing treatment; intimacy; intimacy enhancing therapy; self disclosure |
| Journal Title: | Journal of Sexual Medicine |
| Volume: | 8 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| ISSN: | 1743-6095 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier Inc. |
| Date Published: | 2011-04-01 |
| Start Page: | 1197 |
| End Page: | 1209 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02163.x |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PUBMED: | 21210958 |
| PMCID: | PMC3070795 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Export Date: 23 June 2011" - "Source: Scopus" |
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