Psychological intervention with couples coping with breast cancer: a systematic review
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVE: Information about psychological intervention with couples coping with breast cancer is not well-disseminated. This can be explained, at least in part, by the absence of knowledge about the efficacy of this kind of intervention. The aim of the present systematic review is to identify and describe psychological interventions for couples coping with breast cancer and evaluate their efficacy. DESIGN: Studies identified by a searching multiple literature databases related to health and psychology between 1975 and 2013. Rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria were utilised. RESULTS: Of 129 abstracts, 13 were extracted for further analysis and a final ten studies were deemed eligible for inclusion. Data were extracted from each study regarding study sample characteristics, design, results and methodological limitations. The results obtained were mixed in regard to efficacy, although the overwhelming majority of studies (eight studies) found benefits for both women and their partners in some dimensions, such as quality of life, psychological distress, relationship functioning and physical symptoms associated with cancer. CONCLUSION: Psychological interventions for couples coping with breast cancer appear to be effective for both women and their partners. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of couple-based interventions and, to identify for whom and how they are more effective.
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Active participation of the carer in the intervention through a couple-based intervention might help improve the quality of life, psychological distress, and relationship functioning of couples coping with breast cancer as demonstrated by a systematic review.
“Active participation of the carer in the intervention through a couple-based intervention might help improve the quality of life, psychological distress, and relationship functioning of couples coping with breast cancer as demonstrated by a systematic review”
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“Other theoretical contributions included the Adaptation Model of Nursing(61,69), the Crisis Intervention Model(60,70), the Socialcognitive processing model of emotional adjustment to cancer(43,71), the Client-centred therapy(46,72), and the Salutogenic model(46-73), among others, each referenced only once.”
BackgroundSamami, E., Elyasi, F., Nasab, N. M., Shojaee, L., Zaboli, E., & Shahhosseini, Z. (2020) · Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.5812/ijpbs.99884 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Also, a comprehensive overview of the available literature showed that there was only one systematic review on coping strategies-oriented interventions in breast cancer women as the couple-based psychological intervention, in which the women with breast cancer were studied (19).”
BackgroundWe are different: Young adult survivors’ experience of breast cancer
Henneghan, A. M., Phillips, C. S., & Courtney, A. (2018) · The Breast Journal · doi:10.1111/tbj.13128 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) survivors value relationships with friends and extended family members.(7) The study findings highlight the need for close monitoring of stress and anxiety in younger women who may not have the “life experience” to adequately cope and thrive as they continue their adult development.”
BackgroundThe impact of the disease burden on the quality of life of cluster headache patients
Pohl, H., Gantenbein, A. R., Sándor, P. S., Schoenen, J. E., & Andrée, C. (2021) · Cephalalgia Reports · doi:10.1177/25158163211029909 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Notably, psychological interventions may help couples cope, increase the QoL, and reduce distress.(18) Consequently, when treating CH patients, it is worth considering the importance of their partners as well.”
BackgroundPeñalba, V., Asvat, Y., Deshields, T. L., Vanderlan, J. R., & Chol, N. (2017) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.4473 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Among cancer patients in general, research has demonstrated that psychosocial interventions alleviate psychological distress, including anxiety and depression,(14) and can help bolster QoL, with improved social functioning and fewer physical symptoms.(15) Despite these documented benefits, there is some evidence that…”
BackgroundNot feeling sick from breast cancer: A framework on health status perceptions transition process
Hébert, M., Gallagher, F., & Tribble, D. S. (2016) · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2016.04.001 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Compendium of dyadic behavior change techniques v2.0: results from a Delphi study
Berli, C., Villinger, K., Maio, S. D., Spliesgart, A., Stadler, G., Gawrilow, C., Bolger, N. P., Hankonen, N. E., Łuszczyńska, A., Rothman, A. J., et al. (2025) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1093/abm/kaaf080 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
LeRoy, A. S., Shields, A. N., Chen, M. A., Brown, R. L., & Fagundes, C. P. (2018) · Current Breast Cancer Reports · doi:10.1007/s12609-018-0266-y · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Although psychotherapeutic interventions are widely used, a systematic review of these interventions targeting couples facing breast cancer revealed mixed efficacy [23].”
InfluentialConducting Couple Therapy via Telehealth: Special Considerations for Virtual Success
Hogan, J. N. (2022) · Journal of Health Service Psychology · doi:10.1007/s42843-022-00060-x · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Dyadic treatments for health concerns as varied as anorexia nervosa, breast cancer, smoking cessation, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) have garnered empirical support and the list continues to grow (Baucom et al., 2017; Brandão et al., 2014; Epstein & McCrady, 2002; Haskins et al., 2021).”
BackgroundLi, H., Song, G., Xiao, B., & Gong, Q. (2024) · Psycho-Oncologie · doi:10.18282/po3599 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Health Psychology in Australia
Dorrian, J., Thorsteinsson, E., Benedetto, M. D., Lane‐Krebs, K., Day, M. A., Hutchinson, A. D., & Sherman, K. A. (2017) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781316779156 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Pormaleki, S. Z., & Akbarinejhad, H. S. (2023) · Journal of Breast Disease · doi:10.61186/ijbd.16.4.82 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Wu, M. Y., Zhao, L., Chen, M., Li, S., & Liao, Y. (2024) · Medicine · doi:10.1097/md.0000000000040533 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Iranian Muslim women's adaptation after mastectomy
Shamloo, M. B. B., Elahi, N., & Shamsi, A. (2024) · International Journal of Palliative Nursing · doi:10.12968/ijpn.2024.30.8.451 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Cohee, A. A., Krueger, E., Vachon, E. A., Cottingham, A. H., Stutz, P. V., Alwine, J. S., & Johns, S. A. (2021) · Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice · doi:10.1097/or9.0000000000000042 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
An Integrative Perspective on Understanding Human Functioning: Positive Clinical Psychology
Öztürk, Ö., & Maçkalı, Z. (2023) · Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry · doi:10.18863/pgy.1189803 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Thana, K., Miller, M. E., Chintanawat, R., & Reangsing, C. (2024) · Journal of Cancer Survivorship · doi:10.1007/s11764-024-01675-3 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Sarbazi, F., Heris, M. G., & Akbarinejhad, H. S. (2024) · Journal of Breast Disease · doi:10.61186/ijbd.17.3.16 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Significados da doença, morte e perdão em mulheres com Cancro da mama
Fonte, C., & Andrade, F. (2017) · Investigación en Enfermería Imagen y Desarrollo · doi:10.11144/javeriana.ie19-1.sdmp · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Melendez‐Rhodes, T., & Lal, A. (2025) · American Journal of Family Therapy · doi:10.1080/01926187.2024.2431328 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Apart from addressing sexual concerns, couple interventions also facilitate emotional expression and increase social support (Brandão et al., 2014).”
"Nuestra enfermedad": revisión sistemática sobre coping diádico en cáncer de mama
Acero, L. F. T., & Barboza, C. F. (2019) · Psicooncología · doi:10.5209/psic.65590 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Mobaraki, S. M. N., & Akbarinejhad, H. S. (2024) · Journal of Breast Disease · doi:10.61186/ijbd.17.2.69 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Gahraz, S. S., Atadokht, A., & Hajloo, N. (2022) · Psychology of Woman Journal · doi:10.52547/psychowoman.3.4.22 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Current Resources for Evidence-Based Practice, September/October 2014
Carlson, N. S. (2014) · Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1111/1552-6909.12503
Adaptation to breast cancer: exploring the role of attachment and emotion regulation processes
Brandão, T. R. P. (2017) · Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT) · doi:10.34626/k052-7359
Couple-Oriented Interventions for Mental Health: A Scoping Review
Gil, M., Kim, S., Kim, D., Han, H., Lim, B., & Gagne, J. C. D. (2023) · Journal of Family Nursing · doi:10.1177/10748407231198249 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Two systematic reviews for patients with cancer and their partners demonstrated the beneficial effects of couple-oriented interventions on improving quality of life and reducing mental and physical symptoms (Badr & Krebs, 2013; Brandão et al., 2014).”
What Cluster Headache Patients Would Like Their Relatives to Know: Results from a Qualitative Study
Saravanamuthu, P., Wegener, S., & Pohl, H. (2024) · Clinical and Translational Neuroscience · doi:10.3390/ctn8010015
Hedayatian, N., & Ebrahimi, M. E. (2024) · doi:10.61838/kman.aftj.5.3.14
Emotional Processing in Psychological Interventions for Breast Cancer Patients
Eliachar, K., Gomes, M., Monteiro, M., & Salgado, J. (2025) · European Psychologist · doi:10.1027/1016-9040/a000540
Benam, N. B., & Akbarinejhad, H. S. (2025) · Journal of Breast Diseases · doi:10.61882/ijbd.18.3.8
Berli, C., Scholz, U., Allen, Maio, S. D., Höhener, P. S., Knoll, N., Łuszczyńska, A., Nakamura, M. S., Simpson, J. A., Stadler, G., et al. (2026) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1093/abm/kaaf102
- Authors
- Brandão, T., Schulz, M. S., & Matos, P. M.
- Affiliations
- Universidade do Porto (PT)
- Bryn Mawr College (US)
- Corresponding author
- Matos, Paula Mena
- Venue
- Psychology & Health
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2013-11-27
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 491-516
- ISSN
- 0887-0446 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-8321
- OpenAlex
- W1989014117
- Cited by
- 65
- References
- 51
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 0.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Licence
- other-oa
- Locations
- Psychology and Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Scholarship, Research, and Creative Work at Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr College) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT) (submittedVersion)
- Repositório Institucional da Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa (Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BD/84436/2012)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Family Support in Illness
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Keywords
- breast cancer, couples, psychological intervention, couple-based interventions, coping, quality of life, psychological distress, relationship functioning, intervention efficacy
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Breast Neoplasms, Female, Humans, Male, Psychotherapy, Treatment Outcome, Spouses
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