The Impact of Dyadic Coping Intervention on Mental Health Problem and Quality of Life in Female Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: The mental health and quality of life in female cancer patients are of paramount importance, as a cancer diagnosis can significantly impact every aspect of a woman’s well-being. The need for interventions like dyadic coping, is crucial to address the complex emotional and psychosocial challenges these women face. Objective: The study investigated the effects of a dyadic coping intervention on the mental health and quality of life of female cancer patients. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with female cancer patients from a hospital in Riau Province, Indonesia, selected via purposive sampling. The intervention group consisted of 17 patients who underwent five dyadic coping training sessions based on the systemic transactional model, supplemented by follow-up phone calls from the researchers. An equal number of participants were assigned to the control group. The study analysed the data using descriptive statistics and independent t-tests, applying the DASS-21 scale for depression, anxiety, and stress, and the FACT-G scale for quality of life, both of which are validated measures. Results: The findings revealed that the dyadic coping intervention significantly reduced stress (p = 0.013), depression (p = 0.047), and anxiety (p < 0.001), and markedly improved quality of life (p = 0.017). Conclusion: These results suggest that dyadic coping interventions can effectively alleviate mental health issues and enhance the quality of life among female cancer patients, offering a viable alternative to traditional nursing interventions.