Effects of dyadic coping on post-traumatic growth in patients and couples with breast cancer: an analysis based on the actor-partner interdependence model

Based on a dyadic perspective, the interaction between two variables of dyadic coping and post-traumatic growth in couples with breast cancer is explored, which facilitates an empirical basis for healthcare professionals to develop an intervention program to improve psychological care and quality of life for breast cancer couples.

Two hundred ten pairs of breast cancer couples attending the department of surgical oncology of a hospital affiliated with Bengbu Medical University from July to December 2023 were surveyed through a cross-sectional method. Both breast cancer couples’ completed questionnaire data were investigated using the General Information Questionnaire, the Dyadic Coping Inventory, and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory. Investigating the connection between post-traumatic growth and dyadic coping in patients and partners using an actor-partner interdependence model.

Breast cancer patients had higher dyadic coping scores (118.32 ± 12.10) than their spouses (117.76 ± 11.93); post-traumatic growth scores (65.30 ± 10.24) were significantly higher than their spouses (62.11 ± 10.30). In breast cancer couples, positive dyadic coping positively predicted post-traumatic growth in both themselves and their partners (P < 0.001). Patients’ and spouses’ negative dyadic coping had a negative effect on their post-traumatic growth.

Dyadic coping is an important correlate of post-traumatic growth in spouses and patients with breast cancer. Accordingly, healthcare professionals can incorporate dyadic coping into family-wide dyadic interventions that enhance the couple's post-traumatic growth and life quality.