Core Themes in a Support Group for Spouses of Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

RANY LEVY"1 in 9" Association for Women Coping with Breast Cancer, Tel-Aviv, Israel Spouses of breast cancer patients suffer from various symptoms related to coping with their partner's illness. They are more vulnerable to depression and anxiety than are spouses of healthy women. The benefits of support groups for spouses of breast cancer patients are significant for spouses, patients, and their families. This article describes two support groups for spouses of cancer patients, the first of their kind in Israel, and discusses various patterns that emerged in the couples' relationships and the manner in which they were dealt with in the group.

‘I Was Trapped at Home’: Men's Experiences with Leisure While Giving Care to Partners During a Breast Cancer Experience

“…Consistent with other studies (Hilton et al, 2000;Levy, 2011;Zahlis & Lewis, 2010), the men in this study experienced interruptions in their usual patterns of personal leisure and shared leisure with their partner. These changes were complex and varied depending on where men normally participated in leisure, what they tended to do, and why they chose to participate.…”

“…A "management style" may allow partners to be less conflicted about taking time for self or maintaining a self and activities outside of their caregiver role. Often, however, the caregiving experience and the adaptations made to meet demands result in neglecting of self-putting self on hold, perceiving there is no time for self, ceasing any activities perceived as not crucial to family functioning, or giving up social or personal activities (Hilton et al, 2000;Levy, 2011;Zahlis & Lewis). Some researchers have advanced the conceptualization of caregiving to include positive outcomes such as growth, satisfaction, increased sense of control, increased intimacy, and increased sense of meaning (Hudson, 2006).…”

A Support Group for Fathers Whose Partners Died From Cancer

“…Patients who participated in cancerrelated support programs demonstrated improved coping skills, self-efficacy, knowledge, and decreased feelings of isolation (Campbell, Phaneuf, & Deane, 2004;Newell, Sanson-Fisher, & Savolainen, 2002). Support groups for family members of patients with cancer also led to positive outcomes (Levy, 2011;Northouse, Katapodi, Song, Zhang, & Mood, 2010;Scott, Halford, & Ward, 2004). Peer support programs have benefited patients with cancer and their family members during active treatment (Schneider, 2006); however, the efficacy of interventions for bereaved spouses whose partners died from cancer has not been examined fully.…”

‘All I can do is help’: Transition experiences of male spouse caregivers of women with breast cancer

“…These changes are similar to changes previously reported for male spouse caregivers. Closer relationships with partners have been reported by other study populations as positive changes (Bigatti, Brown, Steiner, & Miller, 2011;Levy, 2011;Wagner et al, 2011;Zahlis & Lewis, 2010), while male spouses have also felt strained and burdened by caregiving, resulting in distress, uncertainty, and isolation (Bigatti et al, 2011;Hilton, Crawford, & Tarko, 2000;Lethborg, Kissane, & Burns, 2003;Wagner et al, 2011;Zahlis & Lewis, 2010). It should be noted that a small number (10) of participants described having experienced no changes, even though they simultaneously described how they dealt with changes and what influenced these changes.…”