Table 1.
Recommendations regarding intervention components for couples coping with cancer
| Component | Description | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention techniques | ||
| Communication and problem-solving skills | open communication and expression of worries (e.g., fear of disease progression or recurrence), emotions, and needs regarding cancer-related and relationship-related topics; open communication with children; supportive listening, self-disclosure and empathy; “relationship talk” | improvement of coping and adjustment to cancer; enhancement of relationship satisfaction; reduced psychological distress [15, 32, 34] |
| Dyadic coping | both partners are mutually involved in the stress coping process: receiving and providing support from each other with joint problem-solving and shared emotion regulation [24] | enhancement in coping with cancer and relationship functioning [15] |
| Supportive behavior | thoughtful, respectful and appreciative attitude toward the patient/partner; approving the other's self-efficacy, resources, and strengths | enhancement of relationship satisfaction [15]; better integration of cancer into life [29, 31] |
| Psycho-education | providing information on the diagnosis, medical treatment and its side effects as well as on how to manage the challenges together as a couple; symptom management | reduction of depression and anxiety [37] |
| Intervention topics that should be addressed | ||
| Caregivers’ self-care | consideration of the caregiver's burden and needs | benefit for the caregiver's physical, mental and social health and also for the patient and the couple; enhancement/improvement of coping behavior, self-efficacy, and quality of life [9, 35] |
| Body image/ sexual functioning / intimacy | addressing topics related to changes in body appearance and functioning and its impact on sexual functioning; sensate focus and communication about sexual problems; incorporating the cancer into the relationship to sustain normalcy | improvement of the woman's self-image, intimacy, and perceptions of her partner's view of her body; enhancement of the couple's well-being, sexual adjustment, and sexual functioning and satisfaction along with relationship quality and satisfaction [25, 26, 45, 46, 47] |
| Positive aspects | addressing positive aspects of the disease such as greater appreciation of life, changed priorities, closer relationship, and enhanced spirituality | enhancement of couple cohesion [17] |