Relationship vulnerabilities during breast cancer: patient and partner perspectives

Objective: Close interpersonal relationships play a crucial role in a woman's adjustment to breast cancer. To date, the literature has focused primarily on characteristics or behaviors of the well spouse that influence a woman's adaptation to the illness. The present qualitative investigation extended this literature by adopting an interactional perspective based on the underlying assumption that relationship partners' coping and distress is mutually influential. The focus of the analysis was patient and partner perceptions of relationship strife or tension over the course of the illness based on the notion that such interactions may be as or more harmful to relationships than supportive exchanges are helpful.

Method: Nineteen women (at different stages of the illness) and eleven male spouses were interviewed about their experiences in relation to breast cancer. Nine of the men and nine of the women were relationship partners. Interview text was subjected to a thematic analysis and informed by grounded theory principles.

Results: Two higher-order categories of Personal Characteristics (both patient and partner) and Relationship Dynamics that impeded couple adjustment defined the overall theme of Relationship Vulnerabilities.

Conclusions: Findings from this study are situated within a broader developmental framework wherein breast cancer is considered a catastrophic life event that challenges the assimilation and accommodation processes of both partners in the relationship. For couples that are able to overcome the relationship challenges associated with the illness, there is the potential for mutual growth, and a deepening and strengthening of the relationship. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.