Couples' Reactions and Adjustment to Mastectomy: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

In this preliminary study, twenty post-mastectomy women and their husbands were examined for adjustment and family relations. Adjustment was assessed by the Psychosocial Adjustment to Physical Illness Scale and by the Brief Symptom Inventory. Family relations were assessed by the Family Environment Scale. The main finding was that a high correlation was found between the adjustment of the women and their husbands. Furthermore it was noticed that there was a tendency of the husbands' adjustment to get worse with time and/or with addition of treatment. The findings strongly suggest the need for further study of the adjustment of the family unit.