Spousal negative responses to cancer patients: The role of social restriction, spouse mood, and relationship satisfaction

This cross-sectional study examined perceptions of spousal negative behavio rs in 219 cancer patients. A mediational model was proposed to explain why a spouse might respond negatively to an ill partner because of greater rest riction on activities as functional impairment increases. A moderating effe ct of the spouse's marital satisfaction assessed 3 months before other stud y measures was also proposed. Results provided support for the proposed mod el. The relationship between increasing patient functional impairment and s pousal negative behaviors was mediated by greater restriction in spouse act ivities, as well as spousal negative mood. A marginally significant moderat ing effect for marital satisfaction was found. Although these results must be replicated with a prospective study, the findings begin to shed light on why spouses might respond in negative ways to an ill partner.