title: The relation between dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction in couples dealing with haematological cancer.
abstract: Couples' ability to cope with cancer is significantly associated with how satisfied they are with their relationship. However, little evidence specific to haemato-oncological patients exists. The objective of this study was to examine how dyadic coping (DC) affects relationship satisfaction among couples facing haematological cancer. Furthermore, we tested complex interactions between distress, disease-related and socio-demographic factors. In a multicentre study, 327 patients (haemato-oncological cancer; mean age: 57 years, 63% male) and their partners responded to surveys examining their relationship satisfaction, DC and distress. The Actor-Partner-Interdependence-Model (APIM) and moderator analyses were used to assess interactions between these concepts. In the APIM, positive DC was significantly related to greater levels of relationship satisfaction, and negative DC was related to lower levels of relationship satisfaction (all p < .001). The partners' distress was significantly related to lower levels of relationship satisfaction of the partners (p < .05). Furthermore, distress, age and relationship duration had significant moderating effects on the association between DC and relationship satisfaction (p < .05). Our results enable describing patient and partner as an interactional unit in which positive DC supports a satisfying relationship. They imply that strengthening positive DC in a couple facing haematological cancer can contribute to them having a well-functioning and sustaining relationship.
authors: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: A-L
authors: AL
authors: Pankrath
authors: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Weißflog
authors: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mehnert
authors: Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Niederwieser
authors: Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Döhner
authors: Clinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Hönig
authors: Clinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Gündel
authors: Department of Internal Medicine III, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Vogelhuber
authors: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Friedrich
authors: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Ernst
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: couples; distress; dyadic coping; haematological cancer; psycho-oncology; relationship satisfaction