Coping with sexual violence as a post-assault formed couple: A dyadic phenomenological interview analysis.

Increasing evidence shows that survivors of sexual violence frequently experience relationship difficulties following their victimization. Little is known regarding how couples which formed post-assault cope with the impact of the prior assault. Hence, the aim of the current study was to gain insight into post-assault formed couples' experiences in coping with the impact of sexual violence. To this end, an interview study was conducted with five female survivors and their male partners who began their romantic relationship post-assault. A dyadic phenomenological interview analysis revealed that sexual victimization is a dyadic stressor but is not always considered as such by the couple. In addition, disclosure is described as a potential bonding experience. Flexibility and creativity from both partners are required as they adapt to the post-assault impact. In addition, meaningful communication and considering the perspective of one's partner seemed to be key to dyadically cope successfully. The current study also identified challenges couples had to manage, including caregiver burden and role confusion. Results suggest that interventions supporting couples in their continuous efforts toward mutual understanding can foster trust and growth.

Pregnant Women's Dyadic Coping and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study Utilizing Latent Profile Analysis.

Background: The problem of maternal mental health is a priority issue of global concern. Dyadic coping refers to the co-managing and making decisions between two parties in response to a joint stressful event. At present, china has limited focus on dyadic coping for pregnant women during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate different categories and characteristics of dyadic coping in pregnant women throughout pregnancy and to analyze the factors that influence these categories. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, and 376 pregnant women who visited the obstetric clinic at a tertiary hospital in Sichuan province from June to September 2023 were interviewed face-to-face using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, dyadic coping scale, and family adaptability and cohesion evaluation scale. The data were imported into excel and exported to spss 27.0 to analyze the potential characteristics of pregnant women's dyadic coping during pregnancy and to explore the effects of this using univariate analysis and multifactorial logistic regression. Results: A total of 376 valid questionnaires were collected. The results of the potential profile analysis showed that the dyadic coping of pregnant women during pregnancy could be categorized into three different groups: the "low coping group" (21.3%), the "general coping group" (67.5%), and the "high coping group" (11.2%). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that low monthly family income, early pregnancy, primipara, family adaptability and cohesion were the factors influencing the dyadic coping of pregnant women during pregnancy. Conclusion: During pregnancy, pregnant women exhibit moderate levels of dyadic coping. Three different categories of dyadic coping patterns were exhibited: low coping group, general coping group, and high coping group, with significant heterogeneity. Therefore, there is a need to focus on the dyadic coping status of various categories of pregnant women and implement targeted couple and family-wide interventions.

Stronger together: the longitudinal relations between partner responsiveness, dyadic coping and PTSD recovery.

Background: Past research has primarily focused on negative associations between PTSD and relationships. Therefore, this investigation delves into the potential positive role of these relational aspects in aiding PTSD recovery during treatment.Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of dyadic coping and perceived partner responsiveness on treatment trajectories of PTSD patients.Method: The study included 90 participants, who were requested to complete online questionnaires twice, with a six-month gap between the measures.Results: The results from linear regression analyses indicated that perceived partner responsiveness had a positive effect on PTSD recovery, whereas dyadic coping had the opposite effect: higher levels of dyadic coping were associated with an increase in posttraumatic stress symptoms over time. Additional examination of the subscales indicated that heightened communication between clients and partners regarding stress was related with increased posttraumatic stress symptoms.Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance and complexity of effective and supportive communication between patients with PTSD and their partners. While existing literature supports both perceived partner responsiveness and dyadic coping as beneficial, this study indicates that only perceived partner responsiveness positively impacted PTSD recovery.

Perceived Partner Responsiveness and PTSD Recovery: the study reveals a significant positive impact of perceived partner responsiveness on PTSD recovery. Patients perceiving higher levels of understanding from their romantic partners experience enhanced recovery, possibly through increased social support and the development of new self-narratives.Dyadic Coping and PTSD Recovery: contrary to expectations, aspects of dyadic coping, particularly stress communication, were found to hinder PTSD recovery. Unhelpful disclosure and problematic interpersonal dynamics in discussing trauma within the relationship seemed to limit recovery, indicating the nuanced nature of communication's role in PTSD recovery.

Couples' experiences of coping with Multiple Sclerosis: a qualitative systematic review and metasynthesis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review sought to synthesise the qualitative literature exploring couples' experiences of dyadic coping, when one partner has Multiple Sclerosis (MS). METHODS: The review protocol was pre-registered with PROSPERO. Five databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Scopus) were searched for relevant papers from inception to January 2024. Seven hundred and ninety three papers were screened against pre-defined inclusion criteria. Data from 11 studies (n = 204) were quality assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative checklist and included in the metasynthesis. RESULTS: The synthesis resulted in four themes related to couples' experiences of coping with MS: dance of accommodation, a sense of unity, outside of us and evolving as a unit. Communication attunement was perceived as key for couples to maintain cohesion in the relationship. Developing a shared narrative around MS helped couples to align their perspectives and co-ordinate their coping. The findings suggest that many couples coped by consciously maintaining a focus in the present. The wider system of social supports also appeared to frame the couples unique dyadic coping process in specific ways. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this synthesis provide support for the conceptualisation of MS as a shared experience to support couples' rehabilitation efforts.

For couples coping with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), communication attunement is a key variable for maintaining cohesion and closeness in the relationship to manage disease impact. Framing MS as a shared challenge helps couples to co-ordinate their coping response, engage in collaborative disease management and rehabilitation, and jointly undertake lifestyle adaptations.Each couple's unique response to coping with MS should be considered within a broader ecological framework, including social and professional supports that may support rehabilitation efforts.

An Exploration of Common Dyadic Coping Strategies: A Perspective from Pakistani Couples Living with Chronic Conditions.

This qualitative study was conducted to explore the common dyadic coping (DC) efforts of married couples, with a chronically ill partner. The sample for the study consisted of twelve couples chosen from Gujrat, Pakistan. The semi-structured interviews were conducted with the help of an interview guide and analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006). The following four major themes were emerged: "common problem-focused DC," "common emotion-focused DC," "common religious DC," and "combined pattern of intimate relationships." The findings indicated that partners are not preferring relational coping resources for problem- and emotion-focused DC. However, the majority of couples participate in religious DC process in a complementary way to cope with stressful situation in the result of chronic illness. The study also indicated various indigenous factors, for example, socioeconomic status, family culture, lack of physical resource, and religious standpoints contributing in the lack of connectivity and sexual intimacy. To conclude, the results revealed that future research is required to investigate the patient and partner's relationship in greater depth, focusing on above-mentioned contextual factors.

Dyadic coping, resilience, and quality of life in young and middle-aged couples after gynecologic cancer: An actor-partner interdependence mediation model.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of dyadic coping on quality of life (QoL) and the mediating role of resilience in these effects among young and middle-aged couples after gynecologic cancer (GC). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2022 and June 2023 from one tertiary hospital in Wuhan, China. 240 pairs of young and middle-aged GC couples were recruited. The demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the Dyadic Coping Inventory, the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey were used to collect data. The process of dyadic analysis was based on the actor-partner interdependence mediation model. RESULTS: GC patients' dyadic coping had an actor effect on both their own physical and mental QoL, while spouses' dyadic coping only exerted an actor effect on their own mental QoL. The mediating effects of resilience on the relationship between dyadic coping and QoL were identified in dyads. Moreover, spouses' dyadic coping could indirectly influence patients' QoL through their own and patients' resilience. CONCLUSION: The findings confirm the dyadic relationships between dyadic coping, resilience, and QoL among young and middle-aged couples facing GC. These results suggest that it is necessary to develop couple-based interventions to improve dyadic coping and resilience, thus enhancing the QoL of both members.

Relationships between body image, dyadic coping and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of cancer triggers not only a negative psychological response for the patient, but also a positive psychological outcome. Positive dyadic coping, as a form of coping for mental health outcomes, can maintain or reestablish internal stability between the patient and his or her spouse, resulting in positive physical and psychological changes. However, there is a paucity of research on body image, dyadic coping, and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship and pathways between body image, dyadic coping, and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to November 2023 at a tertiary care hospital in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China. This study was conducted among 154 breast cancer patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, all of whom completed demographic and clinical information questionnaires, Body image self-rating questionnaire for breast cancer (BISQ-BC), Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI) and Post Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). A Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between body image, dyadic coping, and post-traumatic growth. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the path relationships among the three and to explore the mediating role of dyadic coping. Results: The level of body image was negatively correlated with post-traumatic growth (r = -0.462, p < 0.01); and the level of body image was negatively correlated with dyadic coping (r = -0.308, p < 0.01). And dyadic coping was positively associated with post-traumatic growth (r = 0.464, p < 0.01). The structural equation modeling results supported the mediation model with the following model fit indices, chi-square to degrees of freedom ratio (χ2/df = 2.05), goodness of fit index (GFI = 0.93), comparative fit index (CFI = 0.99), canonical fit index (NFI = 0.93), incremental fit index (IFI = 0.99), non-canonical fit index (TLI = 0.99) and the root mean square of the difference in approximation error (RMSEA = 0.03). Body image and dyadic coping directly affected post-traumatic growth (ß = -0.33, p < 0.05; ß = 0.43, p < 0.05). And body image indirectly influenced post-traumatic growth through dyadic coping (ß = -0.17, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Interconnections between body image, dyadic coping, and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients. A preliminary validation of the mediating role of dyadic coping between body image and post-traumatic growth, body image can have an impact on dyadic coping, which in turn can have an impact on post-traumatic growth. Whereby higher levels of dyadic coping in patients may also be associated with higher levels of post-traumatic growth, whereas body image disturbance may impede levels of post-traumatic growth.

Relationship between family resilience and dyadic coping in colorectal cancer patients and their spouses, based on the actor-partner interdependence model.

PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between dyadic coping and family resistance in colorectal cancer patients and their spouses. METHODS: 178 pairs of colorectal cancer patients and their spouses hospitalized in a three tertiary hospital in Changsha were selected from July 2021 to March 2022. The Family Resilience Assessment Scale and the Dyadic Coping Inventory were used to investigate, which relationship was analyzed by APIM. RESULTS: The total score of patients' dyadic coping was 121.51 ± 16.8, and spouses' score was 123.72 ± 16.6. The total score of family resilience was 176.42 ± 16.0, and spouses' score was 182.72 ± 17.03. There was a significant positive relationship between dyadic coping and family resistance of colorectal cancer patients and their spouses (r > 0.7, P < 0.001). The positive dyadic coping of colorectal cancer patients and their spouses had a positive effect on their own and their spouses' family resilience and the effect was the same. The negative dyadic coping of colorectal cancer patients and their spouses had a negative impact on their own family resilience, and the overall model showed a subject pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The level of family resilience of colorectal cancer patients and their spouses was affected by the level of dyadic coping. Medical workers should regard patients and their spouses as a whole and formulate mutually supportive coping strategies with family as the center, so as to increase positive coping behavior and enhance their family's ability to cope with cancer.

Assessing We-Disease Appraisals of Health Problems: Development and Validation of the We-Disease Questionnaire.

In couples dealing with health problems, we-disease appraisals can influence dyadic coping strategies to alleviate distress. This study describes the development and validation of a self-report scale to assess we-disease appraisals of health problems. The newly developed We-Disease Questionnaire (WDQ) was administered in three samples: parents of children with type 1 diabetes (n = 240) or cancer (n = 125) and individuals with visual impairment and their partners (n = 216). Reliability was measured by coefficient omega. To assess construct validity, correlations with other measures of individual and dyadic adjustment were examined. Descriptive statistics across all samples were compared. A 4-item version of the WDQ demonstrated good reliability and validity and showed meaningful associations with established scales. We-disease appraisals were highest among parents of children with cancer and lowest among couples with visual impairment. The WDQ is a reliable and valid measure that can be used across different health problems.

Marital Self-Disclosure Intervention for the Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Chinese Patients With Gastric Cancer: Protocol for a Quasiexperimental Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with gastric cancer experience different degrees of fear of cancer recurrence. The fear of cancer recurrence can cause and worsen many physical and psychological problems. We considered the "intimacy and relationship processes in couples' psychosocial adaptation" model. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to examine the effectiveness of a marital self-disclosure intervention for improving the level of fear of cancer recurrence and the dyadic coping ability among gastric cancer survivors and their spouses. METHODS: This is a quasiexperimental study with a nonequivalent (pretest-posttest) control group design. The study will be conducted at 2 tertiary hospitals in Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 42 patients with gastric cancer undergoing chemotherapy and their spouses will be recruited from each hospital. Participants from Jingjiang People's Hospital will be assigned to an experimental group, while participants from Taizhou People's Hospital will be assigned to a control group. The participants in the experimental group will be involved in 4 phases of the marital self-disclosure (different topics, face-to-face) intervention. Patients will be evaluated at baseline after a diagnosis of gastric cancer and reassessed 2 to 4 months after baseline. The primary outcome is the score of the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF) for patients. The secondary outcomes are the scores of the FoP-Q-SF for partners and the Dyadic Coping Inventory. RESULTS: Research activities began in October 2022. Participant enrollment and data collection began in February 2023 and are expected to be completed in 12 months. The primary results of this study are anticipated to be announced in June 2024. CONCLUSIONS: This study aims to assess a marital self-disclosure intervention for improving the fear of cancer recurrence in Chinese patients with gastric cancer and their spouses. The study is likely to yield desirable positive outcomes as marital self-disclosure is formulated based on evidence and inputs obtained through stakeholder interviews and expert consultation. The study process will be carried out by nurses who have received psychological training, and the quality of the intervention will be strictly controlled. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05606549; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05606549. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/55102.

A dyadic perspective on parent-child dyadic coping in children with a chronic condition.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined the extent to which parents and their children with a chronic condition communicate their stress to one another and whether stress communication is associated with different forms of dyadic coping. METHODS: In a sample of 239 parent-child dyads, self-reported stress communication and different forms of perceived dyadic coping (i.e., emotion-oriented, problem-oriented, and negative dyadic coping) were assessed using a cross-sectional design. RESULTS: We first found that children's stress communication was positively associated with more positive (r = 0.28, p < .001) and less negative dyadic coping responses by children (r = -0.22, p < .001). Children's stress communication was also associated with more positive (r = 0.52, r = 0.45, p's < 0.001), and less negative dyadic coping responses by parents (r = -0.19, p < .001). Using dyadic data of children with a chronic condition and their parents, we found that more stress communication of children was associated with healthier coping responses of both children (perceived emotion-oriented dyadic coping: ß = 0.23, p < .001) and parents (perceived emotion-oriented dyadic coping: ß = 0.33, p < .001; perceived problem-oriented dyadic coping: ß = 0.22, p < .001). CONCLUSION: This underscores the importance of communication and adaptive coping strategies of parents and children in the context of a child's chronic condition. These findings may help us find ways to support children and their parents to optimally communicate about and deal with their stress.

A couple-based dyadic coping intervention for colorectal cancer patient-spousal caregiver dyads: A randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effects of a couple-focused dyadic coping intervention in colorectal cancer (CRC) couples. METHODS: The study was a single-blinded randomized controlled study which 226 CRC couples were recruited and randomized to either the intervention (N = 113) or the control (N = 113) group. All couples received usual care while the six-week dyadic coping intervention was provided to the intervened couples in psycho-education and skill training methods through face-to-face combined with telephone formats. Measurement data, including dyadic coping, marital satisfaction, quality of life and psychological well-being were collected at pre- and post-intervention periods. And multilevel model (MLM) was applied to analyze the effects of the intervention and the role tendency. RESULTS: A total of 173 couples completed the program and post-intervention evaluation. The retention rate was 76.5%. Results from MLM showed that the dyadic coping intervention is effective in promoting levels of dyadic coping (P < 0.001), marital satisfaction (P = 0.042), mental health (P = 0.006), and positive psychological well-being (P < 0.001), and alleviating depression (P = 0.015) in CRC couples. For role tendency, the intervention found to be more effective in CRC spousal caregivers' positive psychological well-being compared to the patients (P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: The couple-based dyadic coping intervention is effective in promoting dyadic coping and improving psychological adjustment in CRC couples. More studies were needed to further evaluate the program and its long-term efficacy in the future. In addition, given the positive effects of the intervention, clinical nursing stuffs may consider implementing such intervention in their routine work while caring for CRC couples.

Self-efficacy as mediators of the association between dyadic coping and quality of life among spousal caregiver of patients with cervical cancer.

Objective: This study aims to explore the influence of dyadic coping (DC) on the quality of life (QoL) of spousal caregivers for patients with cervical cancer and to investigate the mediating role of self-efficacy in this relationship. Methods: A convenience sample of 206 spouses of cervical cancer patients from five hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China, was included in the study. The participants completed three instruments: the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Dyadic Coping Inventory. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the DC and QoL relationship. Results: The study found a positive correlation between self-efficacy and DC. Self-efficacy partially mediated the impact of DC on QoL, accounting for 16% of the total effect. Self-efficacy played a mediating role in facilitating the indirect positive effects of DC on QoL. Conclusions: Spousal caregivers of cervical cancer patients frequently experience a relatively low QoL. The results suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing DC among spousal caregivers should incorporate strategies to improve self-efficacy, given its mediating role in the positive relationship between DC and QoL.

Common dyadic coping and its congruence in couples facing breast cancer: The impact on couples' psychological distress.

OBJECTIVE: Psychological distress is prevalent in couples facing breast cancer. Couples often deal with breast cancer as a unit instead of as individuals. Couple's dyadic coping is important for their adjustment to breast cancer; however, little is known about how couple's coping congruence influences their distress. This study examined how common dyadic coping (CDC) and coping congruence impact psychological distress in couples facing breast cancer. METHODS: Baseline data were analyzed from 343 women with recently diagnosed early-stage breast cancer and their partners who participated in a randomized clinical trial. Psychological distress was indicated by depressed mood and state anxiety. Common dyadic coping was measured by a self-report scale. Coping congruence was assessed by the absolute difference between a woman's and her partner's CDC scores. RESULTS: Higher CDC scores were associated with lower psychological distress in both women and partners. In the CDC subscales, women who suffered less scored higher on open communication, sharing a positive outlook, and lower on avoidance coping. Partners who suffered less scored higher on open communication, sharing a positive outlook, spending time talking, and lower on avoidance coping. Greater congruence in CDC was associated with lower psychological distress in women and their partners. Congruence in sharing a positive outlook benefited both members of the dyad; congruence in avoidance coping significantly benefited patients; congruence in open communication significantly benefited partners. CONCLUSIONS: CDC and its congruence in specific areas have potential benefit to couple's psychological distress when facing breast cancer. Health care providers could consider enhancing couple's CDC and coping congruence to improve their adjustment.

Concordance in Spouses' Intention to Move After Retirement Among Korean Middle-Aged Couples.

This study examined the concordance in spouses' intention to move after retirement among midlife couples and its association with couples' marital characteristics (i.e., marital satisfaction and dyadic coping). Using a sample of 1,285 middle-aged couples in Korea (aged 49-64), we conducted logistic/multinomial regression controlling for individual and household characteristics. The majority of couples (83%) were concordant in their moving desires-by either agreeing to move (29%) or to stay (54%), whereas 17% of couples were not in agreement-either only husband (9%) or wife (8%) desires to move. Couples who made daily decisions together and where wives perceived higher marital satisfaction were more likely to have concordant moving desires. Couples where spouses shared each other's stress and discussed life after retirement were more likely to agree to move than to stay. Our findings suggest the importance of marital dynamics in understanding midlife couples' residential mobility after retirement.

Parent strategies to help emerging adults manage stress are associated with their mental health: A dyadic coping perspective.

Emerging adults (EAs) are at high risk for mental health challenges and frequently reach out to their parents for support. Yet little is known about how parents help emerging adults manage and cope with daily stressors and which strategies help and which hinder EA mental health. In this cross-sectional pilot study of students at a 2- and 4-year college (ages 18-25, N = 680, mean age = 19.0), we extend models of dyadic coping from intimate relationships to the parent-emerging adult relationship and test whether six specific parent strategies to help emerging adults manage stress are associated with EA mental health. Emerging adults with parents who provided problem and emotion-focused supportive dyadic coping, delegated dyadic coping, and common/joint dyadic coping reported fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as higher levels of psychological well-being. In contrast, college-attending emerging adults who reported higher levels of parent-provided negative dyadic coping reported higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower psychological well-being. Parent-emerging adult dyadic coping is a fruitful area for future research and intervention development.

Fear of childbirth and influencing factors of expectant fathers in China: a cross-sectional study.

Fear of childbirth not only brings negative psychological experiences to expectant fathers and affect their ability to prepare for parenthood but can even affect children's emotional and cognitive development. It is essential to identify men with a more severe fear of birth and its related risk factors for the better transition of fathers' role. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of fear of childbirth among Chinese expectant fathers, identify its contributing factors and explore the association among fear of childbirth, resilience and dyadic coping. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the obstetric department of two tertiary hospitals in Wuhan, China. The socio-demographic questionnaire, the father's version of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire version A (W-DEQ A), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 (CD-RISC), and the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI) were used to explore the correlation of fear of childbirth, resilience and dyadic coping of participants. Ultimately, a total of 1176 expectant fathers were included in this study. The prevalence of fear of childbirth was 32.1%. Gestational weeks of pregnant women, monthly income, adverse birth experience, gravidity and parity of pregnant women were considered risk factors for the expectant fathers with fear of childbirth. Furthermore, there was a weak negative correlation between fear of childbirth and resilience and dyadic coping. In conclusion, the prevalence of fear of childbirth in expectant fathers in China was high. Adequate identification of factors influencing the fear of childbirth among expectant fathers is necessary to reduce the fear of childbirth and to develop appropriate interventions in preparing fathers for their new parenting role.

Recognizing and Appreciating the Partner's Support Protects Relationship Satisfaction during Cardiac Illness.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine whether dyadic coping (DC) is associated with relationship satisfaction (RS) among couples facing cardiac diseases. Furthermore, the moderating role of both partners' anxiety and depression was tested. METHODS: One hundred cardiac patients (81.5% men) and their partners (81.5% women) completed a self-report questionnaire during hospitalization. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) and moderation analyses were used to assess the above associations. RESULTS: Results showed that positive DC was significantly related to higher levels of RS, and negative DC was related to lower levels of RS. Furthermore, patient and partner psychological distress significantly moderated the link between DC and RS: patient-perceived positive DC was associated with higher partner RS when partner depression was high; partner-perceived positive DC was associated with higher patient RS when patient anxiety was low; patient-perceived negative DC has associated with lower patient RS when patient anxiety and depression were high. CONCLUSION: This study showed that positive DC is associated with a more satisfying relationship and identified under what conditions of cardiac-related distress this can happen. Furthermore, this study underlined the importance of examining DC in addition to the individual coping skills as a process pertaining to personal well-being and couple's outcomes.

Coping target checklist for home-based older adults living with disabilities and their spousal caregivers.

BACKGROUND: The substantial rise in the population of older adults living with disabilities is a prominent concern, presenting a profound challenge for healthcare and social welfare systems. Community-based home care is seen as an effective approach to meet the care needs of older adults living with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: To construct a coping target checklist for home-based older adults living with disabilities and their spousal caregivers. METHODS: The initial draft was developed based on a comprehensive literature review, followed by two rounds of Delphi correspondence final version. RESULTS: A comprehensive literature review resulted in the development of 7 modules, 20 topics. After round 1, 3 items were removed, 3 sections, 1 topic and 1 objective were new additions, 16 items were modified, split or combined. Four sections, 3 sections (Individual coping target for spousal caregivers, Individual coping target for older adults living with disabilities, and Shared coping target), 7 modules, 18 topics and 49 objectives were finally identified in round 2. The content of the list tool is derived from three perspectives: self-management strategies for older adults living with disabilities, caregiving strategies for spousal caregivers, and combined. CONCLUSIONS: The coping target checklist was intended to be evidence-based and reflective of a practical direction for home-based older adults living with disabilities and their spousal caregivers living at home.

Development of a common dyadic coping scale in couples facing breast cancer: the importance of open communication.

OBJECTIVE: Couples' joint coping is important in managing the impact of breast cancer. However, measures assessing couples' communication as a way of coping are insufficient. This study aimed to generate a self-report valid and reliable measure of couples' coping with a particular focus on communication. METHOD: We used baseline data of 343 couple dyads who participated in a randomized clinical trial targeting marital communication. Women were diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in the past eight months; couples were married or in an intimate relationship for at least six months, could read and write English, and lived within 100 miles of the study center. An expert panel selected items with conceptual fit from the Mutuality and Interpersonal Sensitivity Scale (MIS) that was originally designed to evaluate marital communication about breast cancer. RESULTS: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a 12-item measurement model with four factors: Keeping the communication open with each other about breast cancer (4 items), Sharing a positive outlook on breast cancer (2 items), Avoiding discussion of negative thoughts and feelings about breast cancer (3 items), and Spending sufficient time together talking about breast cancer (3 items). Reliability ranged from 0.76 to 0.87 for women and 0.70 to 0.83 for spouses. CONCLUSION: This new measure has potential application in clinical practice and future research to assess couple's joint coping efforts especially through communication.