THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF CANCER ON THE COUPLE RELATIONSHIP
Keywords:
cancer, family, couple relationship, systemic psychotherapeutic approach, activation resources for adaptationAbstract
The diagnosis of cancer given to a family member may have a substantial impact on the functioning of the whole family. This chronic illness disrupts the expression of family roles, daily activities, adjustment-oriented behaviors and aspirations of each family member. Stress level and, therefore, the adjustment to illness of both cancer patients and their family members are influenced by illness-related beliefs, family resources and mechanisms of emotional regulation. Targeted interventions on identify the resources of each family member in order to stimulate active coping mechanisms, learn couple partners to respond in a functional way to their fears and concerns, increasing the cooperation in couple, understanding between partners, and self-disclosure of thoughts and emotions, stimulating the emotional support of healthy partner, and prioritizing the goals that partners have should improve couple relationship quality. The emphasis was on dyadic relationship through engaging partners in behaviors that promote communication and openness, as important determinants of psychological adjustment to cancer.
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