A randomized controlled trial of a brief psychoeducational support group for partners of early stage breast cancer patients

TLDR

Partners of breast cancer patients are relied upon for support, yet few studies have examined psychosocial interventions that include or target the patient’s significant other. In a randomized controlled trial, 36 patient–partner dyads received a brief psychoeducational group program for partners, with mood, marital satisfaction, and social support measured pre‑test, post‑test, and at 3‑month follow‑up, while patients completed the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale. Three months post‑intervention, partners showed reduced mood disturbance compared to controls, and patients whose partners participated reported lower mood disturbance, higher confidant support, and greater marital satisfaction. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Partners of breast cancer patients are relied upon for support at a time when their own coping abilities are taxed by the challenge of cancer, yet few studies have investigated psychosocial interventions that include or target the patient's ‘significant other’. Of the 118 consecutive patients approached, 36 patients and their partners participated in a randomized controlled trial of a brief psychoeducational group program for partners only. Psychometric 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. The Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (MAC) was also completed by patients. Three months after the intervention, partners had less mood disturbance than did controls. Patients whose partners received the intervention reported less mood disturbance, greater confidant support (CS) and greater marital satisfaction. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.