Psychosocial Experiences, Challenges, and Recommendations for Care Delivery among Partners of Breast Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study

dc.contributor.authorAcquati, Chiara
dc.contributor.authorHead, Katharine J.
dc.contributor.authorRand, Kevin L.
dc.contributor.authorAlwine, Jennifer S.
dc.contributor.authorShort, Danielle Nicole
dc.contributor.authorCohee, Andrea A.
dc.contributor.authorChampion, Victoria L.
dc.contributor.authorBurke Draucker, Claire
dc.contributor.departmentCommunication Studies, School of Liberal Arts
dc.date.accessioned2023-10-26T10:56:46Z
dc.date.available2023-10-26T10:56:46Z
dc.date.issued2023-02-04
dc.description.abstractFor women diagnosed with breast cancer, partners are consistently identified as the primary support person. Despite growing consensus about the psychosocial experience and unmet needs of cancer caregivers, limited evidence exists about strategies to offer partner-centered care across the cancer continuum. This study describes challenges endured by partners of breast cancer survivors (BCS), strategies implemented to manage these experiences, and recommendations for healthcare providers to inform targeted psychosocial care. Using convenience sampling, 22 partners of female BCS were recruited and completed semi-structured interviews. Conventional content analysis was used to code and synthesize findings. Participants described undergoing five experiences in their role as romantic partners: (a) assuming the role of caregiver, (b) becoming healthcare advocates for BCS, (c) connecting emotionally with the partner, (d) managing their own painful emotions, and (e) connecting with others for support. Experience-specific coping strategies and recommendations were identified. Romantic partners face multiple transitions across the cancer care continuum, which warrant investigation to sustain their well-being and active participation in illness management. Psychosocial interventions for this group will benefit from flexible implementation and attention to care delivery, mental health, and supportive/social needs.
dc.eprint.versionFinal published version
dc.identifier.citationAcquati C, Head KJ, Rand KL, et al. Psychosocial Experiences, Challenges, and Recommendations for Care Delivery among Partners of Breast Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(4):2786. Published 2023 Feb 4. doi:10.3390/ijerph20042786
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1805/36678
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherMDPI
dc.relation.isversionof10.3390/ijerph20042786
dc.relation.journalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
dc.rightsAttribution 4.0 Internationalen
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.sourcePMC
dc.subjectPartners
dc.subjectCaregiving
dc.subjectBreast cancer
dc.subjectCoping
dc.subjectPsychosocial oncology
dc.subjectQualitative research
dc.titlePsychosocial Experiences, Challenges, and Recommendations for Care Delivery among Partners of Breast Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study
dc.typeArticle
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