Physical and psychological symptoms and psychological distress among the spouses of cancer survivors: The mediating effect of family communication and coping

Objective The current study examined the relationships among physical and psychological symptoms, family communication, family coping and psychological distress for the spouses of cancer survivors. Methods A total of 91 spouses of cancer survivors who were diagnosed with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer who were recruited from the University Hospital registry in Cleveland, Ohio, participated in this study. Standardised questionnaires that assessed family communication, family coping and psychological distress were used. Results The results indicate that the relationships among variables of interests varied by the depression, anxiety and somatisation subscales of psychological distress. For example, depression was negatively associated with family communication, while somatisation was negatively associated with reframing coping. Mediating effects of family communication and family coping were observed only for the somatisation and depression subscales. Conclusion Findings suggest that spouses of cancer survivors may experience different psychological distress symptoms in the survivorship period according to how well the family communicates and how it copes when facing a crisis situation. Spouses may benefit from psychosocial interventions that facilitate their ability to effectively communicate and cope with the challenges of life, which may reduce psychological distress.