Marital adjustment in the context of female breast cancer: A systematic review

Abstract

Most studies evidenced an association between psychosocial variables and marital adjustment for both women and their partners. Some important dimensions such as communication patterns, coping strategies, and social support dynamics were identified as potential targets for psychological interventions. Some variables, however, were explored only in a few studies, which limit our conclusions. Future studies should explore the role these variables and other relational and emotional variables play in promoting marital adjustment after BC.

Association between demographic features and perceived social support in the mental adjustment to breast cancer

“…Hack and Degner investigated the correlation between coping responses and psychological adjustment in women with breast cancer and observed a significant correlation between poor adjustment and cognitive avoidance . An association between psychosocial variables and specific factors of marital adjustment was observed among women and their partners …”

“…8 An association between psychosocial variables and specific factors of marital adjustment was observed among women and their partners. 9 Another study noted that income was the only factor among sociodemographic factors related to psychosocial adjustment. 10 In addition to demographic factors, spirituality has also been shown to be correlated with mental adjustment in women with breast cancer, particularly in Malaysian women with breast cancer.…”

Factors associated with romantic relationship formation difficulties in women with breast cancer

“…Advances in breast cancer detection and treatment have meant that many more women are entering survivorship, with the 5‐year survival rate now almost 90% for Western countries . Consequently, much research has focused on improving quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors in the long term, including gaining a greater understanding of the woman's broader interpersonal context and intimate relationships . Many un‐partnered women report a strong desire to begin romantically “dating” (ie, meeting with someone with whom they have a romantic interest) following breast cancer treatment, in the hope of forming a new relationship .…”

“…1,2 Consequently, much research has focused on improving quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors in the long term, 3 including gaining a greater understanding of the woman's broader interpersonal context and intimate relationships. 1,[4][5][6] Many un-partnered women report a strong desire to begin romantically "dating" (ie, meeting with someone with whom they have a romantic interest) following breast cancer treatment, in the hope of forming a new relationship. 7,8 However, these women also report high levels of dating anxiety, that is, worry about dating situations and fear of negative evaluation by romantic partners.…”

"Nuestra enfermedad": revisión sistemática sobre coping diádico en cáncer de mama

“…Por consiguiente, el coping diádico favorece el afrontamiento de los cambios impuestos por el cáncer, y se vincula con el proceso de ajuste (17) . Específicamente, el ajuste corresponde al proceso por el cual las parejas logran la gratificación mutua y alcanzan objetivos comunes, manteniendo su individualidad (18) .…”