{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]],"date-time":"2026-10-07T19:47:34Z","timestamp":1791402454807,"version":"4.3.3"},"reference-count":67,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"14","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,7]],"date-time":"2021-07-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1625616000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Most studies have been concerned with the experiences and needs of women with breast cancer and spouses\/partners separately. In this review, the relationship dynamics that characterize the couple\u2019s experience of breast cancer treatment were investigated. Findings will inform both researchers and professionals in the area of oncology. A systematic literature search was performed in CINAHL, PsychINFO, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science. A checklist for qualitative and observational studies was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies. Seventeen studies were included, and the synthesis of the literature revealed five domains that characterized the dyadic process: dyadic coping strategies, psychosocial support, communication, the couple\u2019s sexual life and spirituality. The included studies provide the basis for knowledge and awareness about the experience of couples with cancer, the specific dimensions enacted during the breast cancer treatment path and the type of responses that are associated with a positive couple\u2019s adjustment to the disease.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18147288","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,7]],"date-time":"2021-07-07T12:31:25Z","timestamp":1625661085000},"page":"7288","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":57,"title":["Relationship Dynamics among Couples Dealing with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0187-1719","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marco","family":"Valente","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9799-0204","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ilaria","family":"Chirico","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7649-6642","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giovanni","family":"Ottoboni","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rabih","family":"Chattat","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,7]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"525","DOI":"10.21037\/qims.2018.05.06","article-title":"Review of radiological screening programmes for breast, lung and pancreatic malignancy","volume":"8","author":"Barton","year":"2018","journal-title":"Quant. Imaging Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"394","DOI":"10.3322\/caac.21492","article-title":"Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries","volume":"68","author":"Bray","year":"2018","journal-title":"CA Cancer J. Clin."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1599","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.2015.12783","article-title":"Breast Cancer Screening for Women at Average Risk: 2015 Guideline Update from the American Cancer Society","volume":"314","author":"Oeffinger","year":"2015","journal-title":"JAMA"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"145","DOI":"10.3322\/caac.21601","article-title":"Colorectal cancer statistics","volume":"70","author":"Siegel","year":"2020","journal-title":"CA Cancer J. Clin."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"418","DOI":"10.1097\/00002820-199410000-00007","article-title":"Psychological and psychosocial aspects of breast cancer and breast cancer treatment. A literature review","volume":"17","author":"Carlsson","year":"1994","journal-title":"Cancer Nurs."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"774","DOI":"10.1053\/j.seminoncol.2013.09.001","article-title":"Symptom management and psychosocial outcomes following cancer","volume":"40","author":"Given","year":"2013","journal-title":"Semin. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"642","article-title":"Psychological and social aspects of breast cancer","volume":"22","author":"Ganz","year":"2008","journal-title":"Oncology"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"73","DOI":"10.1300\/J077v18n04_05","article-title":"Cast Adrift the Experience of Completing Treatment Among Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer","volume":"18","author":"Lethborg","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Psychosoc. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"Hewitt, M., Greenfield, S., and Stovall, E. (2005). From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition, National Academies Press."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"E40","DOI":"10.1097\/NCC.0000000000000283","article-title":"From Patient to Survivor: Women\u2019s Experience with Breast Cancer after 5 Years","volume":"39","author":"Fang","year":"2016","journal-title":"Cancer Nurs."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"354","DOI":"10.1097\/00002820-199310000-00003","article-title":"Long-term survivors of breast cancer. A qualitative descriptive study","volume":"16","author":"Carter","year":"1993","journal-title":"Cancer Nurs."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102","DOI":"10.1159\/000381966","article-title":"Intimate Relationships Affected by Breast Cancer: Interventions for Couples","volume":"10","author":"Zimmermann","year":"2015","journal-title":"Breast Care"},{"key":"ref_13","first-page":"2019","article-title":"Marital adjustment in the context of female breast cancer: A systematic review","volume":"26","author":"Pedro","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Psychol. Soc. Behav. Dimens. Cancer"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"216","DOI":"10.1016\/0749-2081(91)90035-N","article-title":"Psychologic consequences of breast cancer on partner and family","volume":"7","author":"Northouse","year":"1991","journal-title":"Semin. Oncol. Nurs."},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"204","article-title":"Psychological Impact of Alterations in Sexuality, Fertility, and Body Image in Young Breast Cancer Patients and Their Partners","volume":"69","author":"Miaja","year":"2017","journal-title":"Rev. Investig. Clin."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"50","DOI":"10.1080\/07347332.2018.1479326","article-title":"The self-reported perceptions of the repercussions of the disease and its treatments on daily life for young women with breast cancer and their partners","volume":"37","author":"Congard","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Psychosoc. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"404","DOI":"10.1037\/1091-7527.25.4.404","article-title":"Cancer as a we-disease: Examining the process of coping from a relational perspective","volume":"25","author":"Kayser","year":"2007","journal-title":"Fam. Syst. Health"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1037\/0033-2909.134.1.1","article-title":"Distress in couples coping with cancer: A meta-analysis and critical review of role and gender effects","volume":"134","author":"Hagedoorn","year":"2008","journal-title":"Psychol. Bull."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"194","DOI":"10.1080\/07347332.2019.1566809","article-title":"The influence of relational mutuality on dyadic coping among couples facing breast cancer","volume":"37","author":"Kayser","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Psychosoc. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"397","DOI":"10.1023\/A:1026205502614","article-title":"The impact of breast cancer and its treatment on marital functioning","volume":"4","author":"Carroll","year":"1997","journal-title":"J. Clin. Psychol. Med. Settings"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"169","DOI":"10.1037\/a0018165","article-title":"Dyadic Coping in Metastatic Breast Cancer","volume":"29","author":"Badr","year":"2010","journal-title":"Health Psychol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"314","DOI":"10.1177\/0265407513494950","article-title":"Cancer-specific relationship awareness, relationship communication, and intimacy among couples coping with early-stage breast cancer","volume":"31","author":"Manne","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Soc. Pers. Relatsh."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"75","DOI":"10.1097\/SPC.0000000000000187","article-title":"Emotional and sexual health in cancer: Partner and relationship issues","volume":"10","author":"Wittmann","year":"2016","journal-title":"Curr. Opin. Supportive Palliat. Care"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.1016\/S0749-2081(85)80008-5","article-title":"The psychologic impact of breast cancer on relationships","volume":"1","author":"Wellisch","year":"1985","journal-title":"Semin. Oncol. Nurs."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"498","DOI":"10.1080\/10615806.2017.1329931","article-title":"The antecedents and outcomes of dyadic coping in close personal relationships: A systematic review and narrative synthesis","volume":"30","author":"Staff","year":"2017","journal-title":"Anxiety Stress Coping"},{"key":"ref_26","unstructured":"Kelley, H.H., and Thibaut, J.W. (1978). Interpersonal Relations: A Theory of Interdependence, Wiley."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"175","DOI":"10.1177\/026540759301000202","article-title":"Commitment processes in close relationships: An interdependence analysis","volume":"10","author":"Rusbult","year":"1993","journal-title":"J. Soc. Pers. Relatsh."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/2046-4053-4-1","article-title":"Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement","volume":"4","author":"Moher","year":"2015","journal-title":"Syst. Rev."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"123","DOI":"10.1109\/TVT.2011.2176764","article-title":"Optical wireless for intravehicle communications: A channel viability analysis","volume":"61","author":"Higgins","year":"2011","journal-title":"IEEE Trans. Veh. Technol."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"765","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclinepi.2005.12.010","article-title":"Quality assessment of observational studies is not commonplace in systematic reviews","volume":"59","author":"Mallen","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Clin. Epidemiol."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"108","DOI":"10.1016\/j.midw.2005.05.004","article-title":"Appraising the quality of qualitative research","volume":"22","author":"Walsh","year":"2006","journal-title":"Midwifery"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"281","DOI":"10.1037\/h0089855","article-title":"Couple adjustment to the experience of breast cancer","volume":"16","author":"Skerrett","year":"1998","journal-title":"Fam. Syst. Health"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"979","DOI":"10.1188\/05.ONF.979-987","article-title":"African American couples merging strengths to successfully cope with breast cancer","volume":"32","author":"Morgan","year":"2005","journal-title":"Oncol. Nurs. Forum"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"115","DOI":"10.1300\/J077v23n02_08","article-title":"Coping strategies among couples adjusting to primary breast cancer","volume":"23","author":"Picard","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Psychosoc. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"211","DOI":"10.1097\/NCC.0b013e31822a60db","article-title":"Couples\u2019 experiences of breast cancer in Korea: A descriptive qualitative study","volume":"35","author":"Chung","year":"2012","journal-title":"Cancer Nurs."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.1097\/NCC.0b013e31826429a5","article-title":"Young couples\u2019 experiences of breast cancer during hormone therapy: An interpretative phenomenological dyadic analysis","volume":"36","author":"Antoine","year":"2013","journal-title":"Cancer Nurs."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Keesing, S., Rosenwax, L., and McNamara, B. (2016). A dyadic approach to understanding the impact of breast cancer on relationships between partners during early survivorship. BMC Womens Health, 16.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12905-016-0337-z"},{"key":"ref_38","first-page":"2374","article-title":"We are in this together\u2014Aren\u2019t we? Congruence of common dyadic coping and psychological distress of couples facing breast cancer","volume":"28","author":"Meier","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Psychol. Soc. Behav. Dimens. Cancer"},{"key":"ref_39","first-page":"37","article-title":"Couples\u2019 adjustment to breast cancer and benign breast disease: A longitudinal analysis","volume":"7","author":"Northouse","year":"1998","journal-title":"J. Psychol. Soc. Behav. Dimens. Cancer"},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"435","DOI":"10.2466\/pr0.1995.77.2.435","article-title":"Adjustment to breast cancer in couples","volume":"77","author":"Hoskins","year":"1995","journal-title":"Psychol. Rep."},{"key":"ref_41","first-page":"234","article-title":"Cancer-related relationship communication in couples coping with early stage breast cancer","volume":"15","author":"Manne","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Psychol. Soc. Behav. Dimens. Cancer"},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"659","DOI":"10.1007\/s00520-018-4369-9","article-title":"Perpetuating the cycle of silence: The intersection of uncertainty and sexual health communication among couples after breast cancer treatment","volume":"27","author":"Canzona","year":"2019","journal-title":"Supportive Care Cancer"},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"E19","DOI":"10.1097\/NCC.0000000000000306","article-title":"We as Spouses Have Experienced a Real Disaster! A Qualitative Study of Women with Breast Cancer and Their Spouses","volume":"39","author":"Karayurt","year":"2016","journal-title":"Cancer Nurs."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dorval, M., Guay, S., Mondor, M., Masse, B., Falardeau, M., Robidoux, A., and Maunsell, E. (2005). Couples Who Get Closer after Breast Cancer: Frequency and Predictors in a Prospective Investigation, American Society of Clinical Oncology.","DOI":"10.1200\/JCO.2005.01.628"},{"key":"ref_45","first-page":"511","article-title":"A longitudinal study of the adjustment of patients and husbands to breast cancer","volume":"16","author":"Northouse","year":"1989","journal-title":"Oncol. Nurs. Forum"},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"230","DOI":"10.1007\/s12160-008-9026-y","article-title":"Quality of life of couples dealing with cancer: Dyadic and individual adjustment among breast and prostate cancer survivors and their spousal caregivers","volume":"35","author":"Kim","year":"2008","journal-title":"Ann. Behav. Med."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"47","DOI":"10.1300\/J077V12N03_04","article-title":"Coping with breast cancer from the perspectives of husbands and wives","volume":"12","author":"Ptacek","year":"1994","journal-title":"J. Psychosoc. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"660","DOI":"10.1037\/0022-006X.72.4.660","article-title":"Couples\u2019 support-related communication, psychological distress, and relationship satisfaction among women with early stage breast cancer","volume":"72","author":"Manne","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Consult. Clin. Psychol."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"33","DOI":"10.1186\/s40659-017-0140-9","article-title":"Awareness and current knowledge of breast cancer","volume":"50","author":"Akram","year":"2017","journal-title":"Biol. Res."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4606","DOI":"10.1002\/cncr.26739","article-title":"Psychometric validation of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in cancer survivors","volume":"118","author":"Baser","year":"2012","journal-title":"Cancer"},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"821","DOI":"10.1080\/09513590.2018.1467401","article-title":"The sex life of women surviving breast cancer","volume":"34","author":"Ghizzani","year":"2018","journal-title":"Gynecol. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"176","DOI":"10.1188\/12.ONF.176-185","article-title":"A brief intervention to minimize psychosexual morbidity in dyads coping with breast cancer","volume":"39","author":"Decker","year":"2012","journal-title":"Oncol. Nurs. Forum"},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2541","DOI":"10.1002\/cncr.23450","article-title":"Intimacy and relationship processes in couples\u2019 psychosocial adaptation to cancer","volume":"112","author":"Manne","year":"2008","journal-title":"Cancer"},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"778","DOI":"10.1080\/10410236.2013.800441","article-title":"The milspouse battle rhythm: Communicating resilience throughout the deployment cycle","volume":"28","author":"Villagran","year":"2013","journal-title":"Health Commun."},{"key":"ref_55","unstructured":"Cutrona, C.E., and Russell, D.W. (1990). Type of Social Support and Specific Stress: Toward a Theory of Optimal Matching, Wiley. Social Support: An Interactional View."},{"key":"ref_56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"71","DOI":"10.1300\/J087v44n01_04","article-title":"Stress and coping among stable-satisfied, stable-distressed and separated\/divorced Swiss couples: A 5-year prospective longitudinal study","volume":"44","author":"Bodenmann","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Divorce Remarriage"},{"key":"ref_57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"135","DOI":"10.1037\/0278-6133.15.2.135","article-title":"Social support and adjustment to cancer: Reconciling descriptive, correlational, and intervention research","volume":"15","author":"Helgeson","year":"1996","journal-title":"Health Psychol."},{"key":"ref_58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"361","DOI":"10.1007\/s10433-012-0236-6","article-title":"Associations between received social support and positive and negative affect: Evidence for age differences from a daily-diary study","volume":"9","author":"Scholz","year":"2012","journal-title":"Eur. J. Ageing"},{"key":"ref_59","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"251","DOI":"10.1037\/0893-3200.14.2.251","article-title":"Quality of couples\u2019 relationship and adjustment to metastatic breast cancer","volume":"14","author":"Hermanson","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Fam. Psychol."},{"key":"ref_60","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"532","DOI":"10.1200\/JCO.2018.36.15_suppl.532","article-title":"Adherence to Hormonal Therapy among Commercially Insured Breast Cancer Patients","volume":"36","author":"Zhao","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Clin. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_61","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"377","DOI":"10.1007\/s10865-006-9056-5","article-title":"Social support and health: A review of physiological processes potentially underlying links to disease outcomes","volume":"29","author":"Uchino","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Behav. Med."},{"key":"ref_62","first-page":"172","article-title":"Assessment of the relation between religiosity, mental health, and psychological resilience in breast cancer patients","volume":"22","author":"Fradelos","year":"2018","journal-title":"Contemp. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_63","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1918","DOI":"10.1007\/s10943-018-0611-5","article-title":"Spirituality in African-American Breast Cancer Patients: Implications for Clinical and Psychosocial Care","volume":"57","author":"Sheppard","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Relig. Health"},{"key":"ref_64","first-page":"164","article-title":"Design Issues in Dyadic Research","volume":"11","author":"Hendrick","year":"1990","journal-title":"Review of Personality and Social Psychology: Research Methods in Personality and Social Psychology"},{"key":"ref_65","unstructured":"Page, A.E., and Adler, N.E. (2008). Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs, National Academies Press."},{"key":"ref_66","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.1097\/00006842-200101000-00004","article-title":"Coping with breast cancer: Patient, spouse, and dyad models","volume":"63","author":"Gilbar","year":"2001","journal-title":"Psychosom. Med."},{"key":"ref_67","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2003). Distress management. Clinical practice guidelines. J. Natl. Compr. Cancer Netw., 1, 344\u2013374.","DOI":"10.6004\/jnccn.2003.0031"}],"container-title":["International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/18\/14\/7288\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T06:27:26Z","timestamp":1760164046000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/18\/14\/7288"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,7]]},"references-count":67,"journal-issue":{"issue":"14","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,7]]}},"alternative-id":["ijerph18147288"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph18147288","relation":{},"ISSN":["1660-4601"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1660-4601","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,7]]}}}