Couple functioning after pediatric cancer diagnosis: a systematic review
Van Schoors, Marieke Caes, Line Alderfer, Melissa A. Goubert, Liesbet Verhofstadt, Lesley
Van Schoors, Marieke
Caes, Line
Alderfer, Melissa A.
Goubert, Liesbet
Verhofstadt, Lesley
Repository DOI
Publication Date
2016-08-04
Type
Article
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Citation
Van Schoors, Marieke; Caes, Line; Alderfer, Melissa A. Goubert, Liesbet; Verhofstadt, Lesley (2016). Couple functioning after pediatric cancer diagnosis: a systematic review. Psycho-Oncology 26 (5), 608-616
Abstract
Objectives A systematic review was conducted to (1) investigate couple functioning after a pediatric cancer diagnosis and (2) examine theoretical and methodological tendencies and issues in this literature. Methods Searches of Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane, PsycINFO, and Embase resulted in inclusion of 32 qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method papers. Findings of these papers were extracted for summary. Results Most couples adapt well to the crisis of a pediatric cancer diagnosis in domains such as emotional closeness, support, marital satisfaction, and general marital adjustment. However, most experience difficulties in the domain of sexual intimacy, and reports on conflict are mixed across qualitative and quantitative studies. Conclusions This review illustrates the need for future research with a greater focus on the impact of a pediatric cancer diagnosis on the couple's functioning, conducted with the use of appropriate theoretical frameworks and based on both partners' reports. Improvements in research are needed to best inform couple-based interventions.
Funder
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Publisher DOI
10.1002/pon.4204
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland