Dyadic Coping in Patients With Hematologic Malignancies and Their Partners: A Scoping Review

Patients and their partners coping with hematologic malignancies (HMs) experience significant psychological and relational challenges. Dyadic coping (DC) plays a critical role in couples' adaptation under cancer treatments.

To synthesize existing evidence on DC strategies, influencing factors, and outcomes among couples facing HMs.

Guided by the JBI framework, this review systematically searched for and included original studies of any design that examined DC in adult couples where one partner had hematologic cancer. Data on study design, population characteristics, coping strategies, factors, and outcomes were extracted and summarized narratively.

Nine articles across 8 studies were reviewed. Commonly used DC strategies included stress communication, protective buffering, and common coping. Some evidence suggested the potential usefulness of couple-based programs that incorporate communal coping training, but overall, no studies directly examined factors influencing DC. Studies using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model revealed reciprocal associations between partners' coping and well-being. Negative strategies were consistently associated with higher distress, poorer relationship satisfaction, and greater unmet needs. Positive strategies showed mixed effects, generally associated with improved relationship satisfaction and quality of life, though sometimes related to increased distress or unmet needs.

DC significantly affects relationship quality, psychological well-being, and quality of life in HM couples. Positive strategies can foster mutual support but may also increase strain, whereas negative strategies exacerbate distress.

Findings highlight the clinical importance of supporting couples as relational units. Oncology nurses should integrate tailored, couple-based interventions that address both shared and individual coping needs.