The impact of a laryngectomy on the spouse: Who is better off?

Abstract

Abstract Rehabilitation research on post-laryngectomy adjustment has focused almost exclusively on the psycho-social needs of the patient rather than those of the spouse. To investigate spousal responses to the laryngectomy, 30 laryngectomees from the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and their spouses were individually given structured interviews focusing on quality of life, changes following the operation, and psychological adjustment. Responses from spouses were analyzed separately using hierarchical multiple regression analyses to determine the impact of the laryngectomy on the quality of life and the psychological state of the spouse. Lifestyle variables involving changes in friendships, socializing, and sexual satisfaction contributed differentially to both dependent measures. Separate analyses of the POMS subscales comparing laryngectomees with their spouses indicated that spouses experienced higher levels of depression, tension, and fatigue than their partners. The implications for rehabilitation are discussed.