The correlation between coping strategies, doctor–patient/spouse relationships and psychological distress among women cancer patients and their spouses

Objectives : The objectives of the study were (1) to assess similarities and differences between women cancer patients and their spouses in terms of coping strategies, psychological distress and doctor–patient/spouse relationships; and (2) to investigate the impact of formal social support, namely the doctor–patient relationship and coping strategies, on patients' and spouses' psychological distress. Method : Fifty‐seven women with cancer, and their spouses, completed questionnaires that measured distress (BSI), coping strategies (PF, EF) and doctor–patient relationships (Pat, Md). Results : Patient distress was greater than that of spouses. Patients used more strategies involving problem‐focused coping than spouses. A positive relationship was found between patients and spouses in terms of psychological distress, paternalism and emotion‐focused strategies. Emotion‐focused strategies were found to impact patient psychological distress, as indicated in a hierarchical regression model. Conclusion : The paternalism relationship model is an important factor in patient psychological distress but not in spousal psychological distress. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.