Preliminary Results from Daily Diary Study of Marital Support in Couples Dealing with Cancer

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate gender and role (i.e. patient/partner) differences in levels of stress and outcomes of provided and received support in couples dealing with cancer. Colon cancer patients and their spouses were asked to complete diaries during a week before planned surgery or in a week after it, answering questions on mood, and given and received support. Accounts from both spouses showed that couples were functioning as an emotional system, that patient‟s mood lightened after giving support to the partner, and that there was a difference in effects of received practical and emotional aid