Differences in physical, emotional, and social adjustment of intimate, family, and nonfamily patient-partner dyads based on a breast cancer intervention study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the degree to which postsurgical adjustment in patients with breast cancer and their partners depends on the nature of the patient-partner dyad relationship.


METHODS
Secondary data analysis from a randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Three cancer centers and one suburban community hospital in New York.


METHODS
205 patient-partner dyads (112 intimate-partner, 58 family-member, and 35 nonfamily-member dyads).


METHODS
Mann-Whitney nonparametric comparisons and chi-square tests were used to assess dyad types on continuous and categorical variables, and a mixed model for repeated measures compared postsurgical adjustment among dyad types.


METHODS
Type of patient-partner dyads and physical, emotional, and social adjustment.


RESULTS
Patients in intimate-partner dyads were younger, had greater incomes, and discovered the lump by routine mammogram as compared to family- or nonfamily-member dyads. No significant differences were observed in patients' physical or emotional adjustment. Patients with intimate partners had greater difficulty in their social and domestic environments. Partners in intimate-partner dyads had lower scores on psychological well-being, more problems in social and domestic adjustment, and less social support to promote social adjustment.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with breast cancer experience successful physical and emotional adjustment whether they have intimate-partner, family-member, or nonfamily-member partners. Intimate partners are at greater risk for emotional and social adjustment issues.


CONCLUSIONS
When designing interventions, consideration must be given to the type of patient-partner dyad involved.
Sherman
Deborah Witt
DW
School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA. sherman@son.umaryland.edu
Haber
Judith
J
Hoskins
Carol Noll
CN
Budin
Wendy C
WC
Maislin
Greg
G
Cater
Jacqui
J
Cartwright-Alcarese
Frances
F
McSherry
Christina Beyer
CB
Feurbach
Renee
R
Kowalski
Mildred Ortu
MO
Rosedale
Mary
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D004644:Emotions; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data