Conceptualizing How Couples Talk About Cancer

Goldsmith, Daena J.; Miller, Gregory A.

doi:10.1080/10410236.2012.717215

Cited by 41 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…'We say anything we want to', 'I take time to express my emotions') or abstract perceptions of how the couple talks about cancer (e.g. 'I seldom discuss cancer with my spouse' or 'My partner and I had difficulty talking about the cancer and what might happen') [1,22]. When measures ask general questions about how well a couple communicates they are likely to be tapping into cultural and relational schemas (e.g.…”

Section: Other Topics Of Discussion Besides Feelingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A variety of explanations have been offered for why couples do not talk about cancer [22,52]. Foremost among these is the desire to protect or shield one's partner from distress, also known as protective buffering [55].…”

Section: What We Need To Know About Couples' Communication In Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…symptom management) come up regularly and are discussed frequently by couples, whereas others (e.g. diagnosis, death, sexual problems), which are potentially more emotionally laden or stress producing are discussed less frequently, or avoided entirely [22,56,57]. Dispositional factors such as openness and contextual factors such as gender of the patient/partner, type and severity of illness, and treatment type may also impact disclosure [58].…”

Section: What We Need To Know About Couples' Communication In Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most interventions include a communication skills training component because communication is an important process through which couples make sense of cancer, engage in social support, negotiate role changes and coordinate coping responses [1,21]. However, scholars still know very little about what topics they should instruct couples to talk about, how often couples should talk to facilitate adaptation, and when talking (or not talking) is beneficial for the patient and/or the partner [22]. Thus, one way to potentially strengthen the impact of couple-based interventions in cancer is to refine the prescription for communication.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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New frontiers in couple-based interventions in cancer care: refining the prescription for spousal communication

Badr

2016

Acta Oncologica

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Background: The diagnosis and treatment of cancer is a life-altering experience that signals profound changes in a person's life. However, most people do not experience cancer in isolation or cope alone. Despite the fact that partners (i.e. spouses, significant others) provide emotional support and play a critical role in caregiving, cancer exacts a heavy toll on them and challenges their relationship with the patient by altering established communication patterns and roles. In recognition of this, a burgeoning literature involving couple-based interventions to improve patient and partner quality of life and adaptation has emerged. However, questions remain regarding how we can improve these interventions to exact greater impact on patient and partner outcomes. Material and methods: A narrative review of the literature on couples' communication processes in cancer was conducted in order to describe knowledge gaps and directions for future research. Results: Most couple-based interventions have included a communication skills training component because communication is an important process through which couples make sense of cancer, engage in social support, negotiate role changes and coordinate coping responses. However, scholars still know very little about what they should instruct couples to talk about, how often they should talk and when talking (or not talking) is beneficial (and for whom -the patient, partner, or both). Conclusion: In order push this field forward, we need to develop a more nuanced view of couples' communication that acknowledges that there are multiple ways to talk, different aspects of the cancer experience to talk about, and preexisting communication patterns and preferences for different couples that may influence the utility of talk. Interventions that replace the unilateral and generic prescription to talk openly about cancer with targeted questions that prompt reflection on couples' unique strengths, preexisting communication patterns and support resources may thus help bolster the impact of couple-based interventions on patient and partner quality of life.

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Section: Other Topics Of Discussion Besides Feelingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: What We Need To Know About Couples' Communication In Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: What We Need To Know About Couples' Communication In Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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New frontiers in couple-based interventions in cancer care: refining the prescription for spousal communication

Badr

2016

Acta Oncologica

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“…It is therefore important to identify factors that influence whether or not people talk or intend to talk about health issues, and why (Goldsmith & Miller, 2014; Southwell & Yzer, 2009). In the current article, we aim to explore the factors that influence naturally occurring interpersonal health communication.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncovering Factors Influencing Interpersonal Health Communication

Donné

Jansen

Hoeks

2017

Global Qualitative Nursing Research

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Talking to friends, family, or peers about health issues might, among other things, increase knowledge of social norms and feelings of self-efficacy in adopting a healthier lifestyle. We often see interpersonal health communication as an important mediating factor in the effects of health campaigns on health behavior. No research has been done so far, however, on factors that influence whether and how people talk about health issues without being exposed to a health campaign first. In this exploratory study, we interviewed 12 participants about their communication behavior concerning six different health themes, like smoking and exercising. The results suggest that at least four types of interpersonal health communication can be distinguished, each influenced by different factors, like conversational partner and objective of the conversation. Future research should take this diversity of interpersonal health communication into account, and focus on designing health campaigns that aim to trigger dialogue within target populations.

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