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Problem-solving skills and emotional distress in spouses of men with prostate cancer
Vanessa L Malcarne1, Rajni Banthia, James W Varni
1Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, CA 92120-4913, USA. malcarne@psychology.sdsu.edu
Background:
Prostate cancer, the most common cancer in American men, may increase the risk of emotional distress in patients and their spouses. Problem-solving skills may be related to the emotional distress of the spouses.
Method:
Thirty-two spouses of prostate cancer patients completed measures of problem-solving skills and emotional distress.
Results:
Proactive problem-solving skills were related to less emotional distress in spouses. Subtypes of problem-solving skills were differentially related to emotional distress.
Conclusions:
Enhancement of problem-solving skills may contribute to improved health-related quality of life of spouses of prostate cancer patients.