The purpose of the proposed study is to evaluate the efficacy of a new couple-based intervention for women with recently diagnosed, early stage breast cancer and their spouses or male partners. This cancer-focused relationship enhancement intervention adapts well-validated cognitive-behavioral interventions to teach patients and partners specific relationship skills, such as problem-solving skills, communication, and maximizing positive interactions, that they can use in addressing breast cancer. This project's major goals are to improve the patient's individual functioning and specific aspects of the couple's relationship affected by breast cancer (e.g., mood, role functioning, sexual functioning, and social support). In the current investigation, cancer-focused relationship enhancement will be compared to (a) a couple-based Cancer Education intervention and (b) a Treatment-as-Usual condition.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
163
Couples meet individually with a health educator for 6 sessions to learn about ways to support each other and communicate about breast cancer related issues.
Couples meet individually with a health educator for 6 sessions to discuss the medical aspects of breast cancer and treatment options.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina, United States
Relationship Functioning, Individual Functioning, Cancer Related Physical Functioning
Time frame: Pre, post, 6 month follow-up, 12 month follow-up
Observational coding of couples social support and decision making conversations
Time frame: pre, post, 6 month follow-up, 12 month follow-up
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