Dyadic coping experience of breast cancer patients and their spouses: a qualitative research

Abstract Objective To explore the dual coping experiences of breast cancer patients and their spouses, providing a basis for developing targeted intervention measures. Methods Using purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 breast cancer patients and their spouses, who were admitted to the Breast Surgery Department of a Grade A tertiary hospital in Zhejiang Province between July and September 2024. Data were analyzed through content analysis to identify and extract themes. Results The dual coping experiences of breast cancer patients and their spouses were categorized into four themes and nine subthemes, which were: 1. Heterogeneity in spousal stress adaptation patterns (stress perception, self-efficacy); 2. Variability in spousal disease coping support systems (family system, social support); 3. Self-perceived burdens undermining spousal disease coping efficacy (disease progression, financial burden, family functioning); 4. Disease cognition and adaptation promoting spousal positive coping (disease cognition, self-adaptation). Conclusion Breast cancer couples simultaneously experience both positive and negative stress perceptions. Healthcare providers should adopt a dual perspective, closely monitoring the psychological states and relationship quality of both patients and their spouses. Efforts should focus on strengthening individual psychological resilience and coping abilities, guiding couples toward open communication and joint coping strategies, and enhancing the use of external resources to ultimately strengthen their dual coping capacity. Implications This study reveals the content and experiences of dual coping among breast cancer couples, providing theoretical support for the development of interventions. Individual psychological resilience, open communication between spouses, and external social support are crucial factors influencing dual coping, which contribute to enhanced coping abilities and an improved quality of life.