Coping with breast cancer: Patient, spouse, and dyad models

Objective: The objectives of this study were 1) to assess similarities and differences between patients with breast cancer and their spouses in terms of coping strategies and adjustment (psychosocial and psychological) to can cer and 2) to investigate the pattern of relationships between the patients ' and spouses' coping strategies and between each of these strategies and t he patient's adjustment to the illness using three types of models: patient , spousal, and dyadic coping. Methods: Seventy-three patients with breast c ancer and their spouses completed questionnaires that measured distress (Br ief Symptom Inventory), psychosocial adjustment, and coping strategies. Res ults: The patients' distress was greater than their spouses', but a similar level of psychosocial adjustment was reported. The patients used more stra tegies involving problem-focused coping than their spouses. The use of emot ion-focused coping, which included ventilation and avoidance strategies, wa s highly related to distress and poor adjustment on the part of the patient . The spouses' emotion-focused coping and distress were related to that of the patients. Dyad emotion-focused coping measures were highly associated w ith the patients' distress and adjustment. Conclusions: Spousal and dyad co ping are important factors in a patient's adjustment to breast cancer.