A study on the actor-partner effects between positive psychological capital and dyadic coping in breast cancer patients and their spouses

Abstract

Abstract Background As a protective factor, positive psychological capital is closely related to physical and mental health. However, existing studies lack analysis from the perspective of patient-spouse interactions. This study aims to explore the effects of positive psychological capital and dyadic coping in breast cancer patients and their spouses by constructing an actor-partner interdependence model. Methods Using a convenient sampling method, 249 couples with breast cancer who were admitted to three tertiary hospitals in Xi 'an from October to December 2023 were recruited for investigation. The Chinese version of the Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire and Dyadic Coping Inventory were used to measure the positive psychological capital and dyadic coping of breast cancer patients and their spouses. An actor–partner interdependence model was constructed to identify the interaction between positive psychological capital and dyadic coping of patients and spouses. Results The positive psychological capital scores of breast cancer patients and their spouses were (122.59±15.98) and (130.01±15.53), respectively. Patients' positive psychological capital scores were lower than their spouses (P＜0.001). The tenacity dimension score of the patients was (3.93±0.89), which was no significant difference from the theoretical median value of the scale (t=1.324, P=0.188).The dyadic coping scores were (121.09±15.66) and (123.47±14.10), respectively, between the cut-off points of 111 and 145. The score of the spouses’ stress communication was lower than that of their spouses（P＜0.05）, and there was no significant difference between the other dimensions (P > 0.05). Regarding the actor–partner effect, patients and their spouse's positive psychological capital can positively predict their own and their spouses' dyadic coping (P < 0.05). Conclusion We found that the positive psychological capital and dyadic coping scores of breast cancer patients and their spouses were both at a moderate level, and the tenacity dimension scores were the lowest in the positive psychological capital of patients. The findings highlight that the dyadic coping of couples is affected by individuals and their spouses' positive psychological capital.