Dyadic Coping in Breast and Prostate Cancer Patients and Their Spouses

The purpose of this study is to focus on dyadic coping as one of the main factors that enhance resilience in adjustment to cancer, while also assessing other protective factors for coping with traumatic events. Specifically, the study aims are: 1. To assess the level of post traumatic distress, functional impairment and depression among breast and prostate cancer patients and their spouses. 2. To assess resiliency factors such as flexibility, self efficacy and ego resilience among breast and prostate cancer patients and their spouses. 3. To examine the pattern of dyadic coping at 3 time points: at the beginning and end of radiation therapy, and at six-week follow-up. 4. To examine the relationships between dyadic coping and level of posttraumatic distress and the resilience factors over time (in 3 repeated measures) Different aspects of coping with the trauma of cancer and its treatment may be assessed. Measures of strength and distress amongst patients and their spouses may enable a fuller picture of what types of responses exist, which interventions may be most beneficial, and what other factors may relate to positive coping, increased resilience and quality of life, such as flexibility, and the nature of the couples' dyadic coping.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Dyadic pairs (not necessarily married, but in couples)
* One member of the couple has breast cancer or prostate cancer