Dyadic association between mindfulness, family avoidance of communication about cancer and fear of cancer recurrence among breast cancer couples: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose

The research focused on examining the dyadic relationship between mindfulness, fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), and family avoidance of communication about cancer (FACC) within breast cancer couples.

Methods

This study utilized a cross-sectional approach to gather data from 249 breast cancer couples. Participants completed self-report measures assessing mindfulness, FCR, and FACC. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model was applied to analyze how each individual's and their partner's mindfulness affected their own and their partner's FCR, as well as the mediating role of FACC in this relationship.

Results

The study found that the average FCR score for breast cancer patients was (32.59 ± 10.05), while their spouses had a score of (34.39 ± 8.60). The bootstrap method showed that self-FACC as a mediator between mindfulness in breast cancer couples and their own FCR (patient: β = −0.044, P = 0.019; spouse: β = −0.046, P = 0.007). Patients' FACC influenced the connection between their mindfulness and spouses' FCR (β = −0.031, P = 0.030).

Conclusions

The findings highlight the potential for interventions that focus on mindfulness and communication enhancement to alleviate FCR and improve the overall well-being of breast cancer couples.