Bd. Bultz et al., A randomized controlled trial of a brief psychoeducational support group for partners of early stage breast cancer patients, PSYCHO-ONC, 9(4), 2000, pp. 303-313
Partners of breast cancer patients are relied upon for support at a time wh
en their own coping abilities are taxed by the challenge of cancer, yet few
studies have investigated psychosocial interventions that include or targe
t the patient's 'significant other'. Of the 118 consecutive patients approa
ched, 36 patients and their partners participated in a randomized controlle
d trial of a brief psychoeducational group program for partners only. Psych
ometric instruments (including the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the Index
of Marital Satisfaction (IMS) and DUKE-UNC Functional Social Support Scale
(FSSS)) were administered pre-test, post-test and at 3 months follow-up. T
he Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (MAC) was also completed by patients.
Three months after the intervention, partners had less mood disturbance tha
n did controls. Patients whose partners received the intervention reported
less mood disturbance, greater confidant support (CS) and greater marital s
atisfaction. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.