Communication Efficacy and Couples’ Cancer Management: Applying a Dyadic Appraisal Model

Kate Magsamen-Conrad; Maria G Checton; Maria K Venetis; Kathryn Greene

doi:10.1080/03637751.2014.971415

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Communication Efficacy and Couples’ Cancer Management: Applying a Dyadic Appraisal Model

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Communication Efficacy and Couples’ Cancer Management: Applying a Dyadic Appraisal Model

Kate Magsamen-Conrad, Maria G Checton, Maria K Venetis and Kathryn Greene

Communication monographs, Vol.82(2), pp.179-200

06/01/2015

DOI: 10.1080/03637751.2014.971415

PMCID: PMC4430110

PMID: 25983382

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to apply Berg and Upchurch’s (2007) developmental-conceptual model to understand better how couples cope with cancer. Specifically, we hypothesized a dyadic appraisal model in which proximal factors (relational quality), dyadic appraisal (prognosis uncertainty), and dyadic coping (communication efficacy) predicted adjustment (cancer management). The study was cross-sectional and included 83 dyads in which one partner had been diagnosed with and/or treated for cancer. For both patients and partners, multilevel analyses using the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) indicated that proximal contextual factors predicted dyadic appraisal and dyadic coping. Dyadic appraisal predicted dyadic coping, which then predicted dyadic adjustment. Patients’ confidence in their ability to talk about the cancer predicted their own cancer management. Partners’ confidence predicted their own and the patient’s ability to cope with cancer, which then predicted patients’ perceptions of their general health. Implications and future research are discussed.

Chronic Illness

Efficacy

Couples

Dyadic Coping

Cancer

Communication

Details

Title: Subtitle: Communication Efficacy and Couples’ Cancer Management: Applying a Dyadic Appraisal Model
Creators: Kate Magsamen-Conrad - Department of Communication, Bowling Green State University
Maria G Checton - Department of Health Care Management, College of Saint Elizabeth
Maria K Venetis - Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University
Kathryn Greene - Department of Communication, Rutgers University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Communication monographs, Vol.82(2), pp.179-200
DOI: 10.1080/03637751.2014.971415
PMID: 25983382
PMCID: PMC4430110
NLM abbreviation: Commun Monogr
ISSN: 0363-7751
eISSN: 1479-5787
Grant note: name: Wendy Manning, award: R24HD050959
Language: English
Date published: 06/01/2015
Academic Unit: Communication Studies
Record Identifier: 9984002403102771

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