Social issues: Marital support

Abstract

The cancer's appearance awakens a shared anxiety about the possible ending of the conjugal relationship. For many couples, this anxiety leads to a re-evaluation of the depth of their attachment and commitment and of the importance of the other person in their life. The goal of this chapter is to present two dimensions crucial to the deepening of the intimate bond in cases where the female partner has breast cancer: the establishment of open, emotional communication and the development of exchanges based on mutuality. They will be commented on in terms of their contribution to marital well-being or marital distress. Implications for psychosocial intervention and research will be discussed. © 2009 Springer-Verlag US.