The correlation between coping strategies, doctor–patient/spouse relationships and psychological distress among women cancer patients and their spouses

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were (1) to assess similarities and differences between women cancer patients and their spouses in terms of coping strategies, psychological distress and doctor-patient/spouse relationships; and (2) to investigate the impact of formal social support, namely the doctor-patient relationship and coping strategies, on patients' and spouses' psychological distress. METHOD: Fifty-seven women with cancer, and their spouses, completed questionnaires that measured distress (BSI), coping strategies (PF, EF) and doctor-patient relationships (Pat, Md). RESULTS: Patient distress was greater than that of spouses. Patients used more strategies involving problem-focused coping than spouses. A positive relationship was found between patients and spouses in terms of psychological distress, paternalism and emotion-focused strategies. Emotion-focused strategies were found to impact patient psychological distress, as indicated in a hierarchical regression model. CONCLUSION: The paternalism relationship model is an important factor in patient psychological distress but not in spousal psychological distress.