Journey Toward Dyadic Coping: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study of Patients With Advanced Cancer and Their Spouses

Advanced cancer affects both patients and their spousal caregivers. Understanding dyadic coping experiences in cancer care provides insights into the psychological and emotional dynamics between patients and their partners. This study aimed to explore the dyadic coping experiences of cancer patients and their spouses during treatment in China.

Utilizing a longitudinal, qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with cancer patients and their spouses during the first 6 months following cancer diagnosis. A total of 18 patient-spouse dyads were recruited, and 16 dyads completed all follow-ups at baseline and after three and six months. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically to identify dyadic coping experiences and develop a generalized typology emotional journey map.

The identified themes across the four phases in the context of Chinese culture are as follows: (1) Crisis impact and reactive coping during the early diagnosis; (2) Coping differentiation and role restructuring in the initial treatment phase; (3) Collaborative adaptation and emotional adjustment throughout the regular treatment period; (4) Sustained care and anticipatory preparation during home care. Additionally, twelve sub-themes for dyadic coping experiences emerged during cancer care. Based on these results, a journey framework was provided, revealing dyadic coping experiences in a dynamic process.

The dyadic coping experiences of patient-spouse dyads in cancer care evolve dynamically, undergoing evident shifts across the illness trajectory. The findings suggest that healthcare providers should view cancer issues as a dyadic challenge rather than an individual condition, and develop tailored, culturally congruent, couple-centred interventions.