Correlates of posttraumatic growth in husbands of breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Following breast cancer, many survivors and spouses report posttraumatic growth (PTG)-positive life changes. This correlational study identified social context and event-related correlates of PTG among husbands of breast cancer survivors (N=72). Bivariate analyses indicated that husbands' PTG was positively associated with general social support, greater marital support and depth of commitment, greater PTG in wife, shorter time since diagnosis and breast cancer meeting DSM-IV criteria for traumatic stressor. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the significant predictors of husbands' PTG were depth of marital commitment, wife's PTG, and breast cancer meeting DSM-IV traumatic stressor criteria. Psychosocial research and interventions need to acknowledge that couples face the cancer together and share not only the pain but also the potential for gain from the trauma.

Positive Outcomes Following Bereavement: Paths to Posttraumatic Growth

“…For example, it has been shown that having a model, knowing someone who has had a similar experience and who has experienced growth, facilitates growth (Cobb, Tedeschi, Calhoun, & Cann, 2006;Weiss, 2004). Evidence also exists for broader influences through cultural rituals that can provide a context for understanding and dealing with events like death (Bonanno, Papa, Lalande, Zhang, & Noll, 2005).…”

Psychosocial Adjustment and Marital Intimacy Among Partners of Patients with Breast Cancer: A Comparison Study with Partners of Healthy Women

“…Most couples do not report a decrease in the quality of their marital relationship (Manne, 1998), and only a small proportion of couples experience difficulties or separation following diagnosis (Dorval, Maunsell, Taylor-Brown, & Kilpatrick, 1999;Taylor-Brown et al, 2000). In addition, many couples report a strengthening of their relationship (Dorval et al, 2005;Hinnen et al, 2008) and the occurrence of positive changes or relational growth after this experience (Weiss, 2004). Therefore, the perception of increased marital intimacy among the spouses of cancer patients may reflect this general process of relationship enhancement that is observed among many couples.…”

Shared or Discordant Grief in Couples 2–6 Years After the Death of Their Premature Baby: Effects on Suffering and Posttraumatic Growth

“…Few studies 21 have focused attention on the impact of social support between marital partners on the development of posttraumatic growth. Personal growth among partners of women with breast cancer correlated with the depth of marital commitment and the extent of posttraumatic growth of the wife 21 . In a study assessing 67 parents after the loss of a child, most parents reported an increase of personal growth due to the loss of the baby 18 .…”

“…This lack of a systemic perspective has been criticized by several experts 19,20 . Few studies 21 have focused attention on the impact of social support between marital partners on the development of posttraumatic growth. Personal growth among partners of women with breast cancer correlated with the depth of marital commitment and the extent of posttraumatic growth of the wife 21 .…”