Three questions about the role of perceived control in coping with a major life stressor were addressed in a sample of 71 cancer patients. As expected, those with greater perceptions of control were less depressed, even when physical functioning, marital satisfaction, and negative affectivity were controlled for. Consistent with a compensatory model of control, it was more important for patients to believe that they could control daily emotional reactions and physical symptoms than the course of the disease. Patients who endorsed irrational beliefs had lower overall perceptions of control. The results indicated that even patients who were physically or psychosocially worse off were better adjusted if they had higher perceptions of control.

Couples surviving prostate cancer face long-term challenges in their relationships as they adapt to chronic illness. Ten couples surviving prostate cancer were brought together in a focus group to discuss their experiences and concerns regarding intimacy in their relationships. During three 30-minute segments, couples described their experiences (a) as couples, (b) as individual men and women in two concurrent break-out groups, and (c) regarding current intimacy and relationship needs. Questions asked of couples focused on (a) the process of being diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer, (b) what the experience was like for them as a couple, (c) what was helpful, harmful, and surprising throughout the experience, (d) what they currently needed most as a couple, and (e) what advice they had for other couples. Findings suggested that men and women think and respond differently to intimacy and relationship challenges that occur as a result of prostate cancer, diagnosis, and treatment. Consequently, healthcare providers in any clinical setting who may interact with prostate cancer survivors must consider the relationship and intimacy needs that are unique to men, women, and couples.

Women's responses highlight the significant impact of the experience on their lives and illuminate to primary care providers the importance of assessing, recognizing, and appropriately addressing their specific concerns.

Nurses are in a key position to assess health-related QOL and sexual functioning concerns for prostate cancer survivors and their partners.

A translated version of the CES-Depression scale attained a reliability coefficient alpha of 0.92 in a group of 30 adult Chinese persons with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Fifteen percent of the sample scored 16 or above, which has been noted as indicative of depression in U.S. samples. The validity of the instrument was assessed through an in-depth content analysis and through convergent validity analyses. Comparison of depression scores of this sample with those from English-speaking Occidentals shows that diabetes disease-related factors may be an important influence on depression.