1.
Online couple interventions in cancer.
Vanstone, R, Fergus, KD
Current opinion in supportive and palliative care. 2020;(1):67-73
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cancer diagnosis and treatment can have long-lasting psychological and physical consequences that affect both patients and their intimate partners. Improved understanding of extant dyadic interventions in the context of cancer, and how access to these may be enhanced through web-based technologies, introduce new directions for how cancer-related psychological distress for couples may be ameliorated. RECENT FINDINGS Couples are negatively impacted by cancer, both individually, and as a dyad. Bolstering techniques to support effective communication about common cancer-related concerns and support for adjusting to new roles and responsibilities may help to strengthen the couple's relationship so partners are better able to cope with cancer. Although there are various intervention options available for couples dealing with cancer, many pose barriers to participation because of constraints on time and/or distance. However, online interventions have been shown to be effective, both in easing psychological distress and reducing participant burden. SUMMARY Couples dealing with cancer experience psychological distress and must learn to navigate changing roles and responsibilities in the face of the disease. Online interventions offer flexible and innovative platforms and programs that help to address couples' educational needs while strengthening dyadic coping.
2.
Cardiac disease and its consequences on the partner relationship: a systematic review.
Dalteg, T, Benzein, E, Fridlund, B, Malm, D
European journal of cardiovascular nursing. 2011;(3):140-9
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiac disease is a chronic illness that has extensive impact on patients and their partners. No previous review has been made on how the partner relationship is affected following cardiac disease. The review limited itself to the main cardiac disease of myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia and heart failure. AIM: The aim of this review was to identify how the partner relationship is affected following cardiac disease after hospital discharge. METHOD CINAHL, PubMed and PsycINFO were searched from 1999 to 2009. Quality assessment of included articles was made using the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers' Manual. A total of 20 articles were included. RESULTS Five themes identified how the partner relationship is affected following cardiac disease, namely: overprotection, communication deficiency, sexual concerns, changes in domestic roles, and adjustment to illness. Patients reported feeling overprotected by their spouses which occasionally served as a fertile ground for arguments or conflicts. Most couples experienced some implications concerning their sexual life following cardiac disease, though in various degrees. Both patients and partners seemed to experience communication deficiency concerning emotions within their relationship following the event. Most couples experienced a shift in roles and responsibilities within their partner relationship. Even though most couples experienced great distress following being afflicted with cardiac disease they reported that the disease had brought them closer together. CONCLUSION The review found that though couples found the cardiac event distressful they conformed and adjusted their relationship to the new situation.
3.
Does caring for a spouse with dementia promote cognitive decline? A hypothesis and proposed mechanisms.
Vitaliano, PP, Murphy, M, Young, HM, Echeverria, D, Borson, S
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2011;(5):900-8
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To discuss why spouse caregivers (CGs) of people with dementia may be at higher risk for cognitive problems and decline than demographically similar people not caring for a spouse with dementia (noncaregivers; NCGs). DESIGN Literature review. SETTING Community. PARTICIPANTS Older adults caring for a family member (primarily spouses) with dementia. MEASUREMENTS Cognitive, psychosocial, physiological, and behavioral. RESULTS This article reports a review of the literature examining relationships between CG status and cognitive problems in the context of a theoretical model of chronic stress. The model suggests that spouse CGs may be at higher risk of cognitive impairment or dementia than NCG spouses in response to several mediators, including psychosocial (e.g., depression, loneliness, social isolation, sleep problems), behavioral (e.g., exercise, diet), and physiological (e.g., metabolic syndrome and inflammation) variables. CONCLUSION This research has important implications because it considers modifiable risk factors for dementia that, if unchecked, may compromise the lives of CGs and their ability to function. It is hoped that an understanding of such stress-mediator-cognitive processes will help clinicians, researchers, policy-makers, and stakeholders mitigate what may be characterized as an "ironic tragedy"-dementia in both members of the caregiving dyad-if left unchecked.
4.
Myocardial infarction: gender differences in coping and social support.
Kristofferzon, ML, Löfmark, R, Carlsson, M
Journal of advanced nursing. 2003;(4):360-74
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge about gender differences in perceptions of coping and social support among patients who have experienced myocardial infarction. RATIONALE Women with coronary heart disease have physical, social and medical disadvantages compared with their male counterparts, which can influence their perception of recovery after cardiac events. No review has been found which focuses on gender differences in coping and social support in myocardial infarction patients. METHOD A computerized search was conducted using the keywords 'myocardial infarction', 'coping', 'gender differences' and 'social support'. Forty-one articles, published between 1990 and October 2002, were scrutinized. FINDINGS Two studies report that women used more coping strategies than men. Several qualitative studies found that women used a variety of coping strategies. Women minimized the impact of the disease, tended to delay in seeking treatment and did not want to bother others with their health problems. Household activities were important to them and aided their recovery. Men were more likely to involve their spouses in their recovery, and resuming work and keeping physically fit were important to them. Women tended to report that they had less social support up to 1 year after a myocardial infarction compared with men. They received less information about the disease and rehabilitation and experienced lack of belief in their heart problems from caregivers. Further, they received less assistance with household duties from informal caregivers. Men tended to report more support from their spouses than did women. CONCLUSIONS Traditional gender-role patterns may influence the recovery of patients who have experienced myocardial infarction. Caregivers may need to be more sensitive to gender-specific needs with regard to risk profiles, social roles, and the patient's own role identity. For many women, especially older ones, household duties and family responsibilities may be an opportunity and a base for cardiac rehabilitation.