Relational Coping Processes

A diagnosis of breast cancer requires a woman to cope with a variety of physical and psychosocial challenges that are not faced in isolation. Interpersonal relationships are the context for appraisal, development of coping strategies, and defining of resources for adaptation to a serious illness. Of particular interest is the couple relationship. The level of complexity in understanding the process of adaptation is far greater when considering the impact of each partner's response on the other partner's coping strategies and the interactive management of the emotional recovery. The purpose of this study was to understand the specific processes that developed within the partner relationship as the couple began the process of recovery. Case-intensive interview data were analyzed using an interpretive methodology to construct the dyadic process of the woman and her partner. The data analysis revealed two types of processes: one process in which the patient's and partner's thoughts, feelings, and emotions were acknowledged; the other in which their thoughts, feelings, and emotions were moderated or minimized in some way. These patterns were present across couples.