Partner support and changes in relationships during life-threatening illness: Women's perspectives

This study examined the role of the primary partnered relationship as a fac tor in women's adjustment to cancer. Data from semistructured interviews wi th 40 women, in combination with their scores on a standardized measure of the mutuality of the relationship, allowed for an investigation of the foll owing questions: How do women with cancer perceive the effect of their illn ess on their primary partnered relationship? What types of support do women receive from their partners during the illness experience? Is this support adequate? What is the relationship between the mutuality of the primary pa rtnered relationship and the support provided by the partner? The results i ndicated that the type of support the partner provides as well as the mutua lity of the relationship contribute positively to women's coping. Thus, the mutuality of women's primary partnered relationships should be assessed ro utinely, and psychosocial interventions should sensitize couples to the ben efits of enhanced mutuality during the illness experience.