Premium
Development and pilot testing of an online intervention to support young couples' coping and adjustment to breast cancer
Author(s) -
Fergus K.D.,
McLeod D.,
Carter W.,
Warner E.,
Gardner S.L.,
Granek L.,
Cullen K.I.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ecc.12162
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , distress , closeness , coping (psychology) , intervention (counseling) , facilitation , clinical psychology , family medicine , nursing , cancer , psychology , mathematical analysis , mathematics , neuroscience
Couplelinks is an original, professionally facilitated online intervention tailored to the unique challenges facing young women with breast cancer and their male partners. The purpose of this evaluation was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and areas for improvement. Sixteen couples were sequentially enrolled over an 18‐month period. Couples provided feedback via a treatment satisfaction survey, and post‐treatment interviews with a sub‐group of participants. Qualitative information was analysed for themes relevant to the program's acceptability, perceived benefits and limitations, and directions for improvement. Of the 16 couples who enrolled, six completed four modules or less, and 10 completed the entire program. Completers reported satisfaction with the program overall, as well as with the website useability and professional facilitation. Reported benefits were: enhanced communication and self‐other knowledge; creation of opportunities for meaningful, cancer‐related discussion; affirmation of relationship strengths; and a greater sense of closeness between partners. The main reported limitation was how program participation disrupted the couple's usual routine. Themes related to non‐completion suggest that partners with particularly elevated relational or illness‐related distress, or with differential levels of motivation, are less likely to finish. These findings have led to targeted improvements to the website and intervention protocol.