Psychological problems among husbands of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The study examined the psychological health status of husbands whose wives were diagnosed with breast cancer. It was hypothesised that husbands of women with breast cancer would significantly suffer from more psychological distress, stress, anger, and somatic symptoms than husbands of healthy women. Using the purpose sampling method, a total of hundred participants (n = 100), including fifty husbands of women with breast cancer, while fifty husbands of women without breast cancer (healthy women) were selected from Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. The ages of husbands ranged from 31 to 50 years with mean age (M = 41.57; SD =5.91). Data was gathered through the Personal Information Form and other measures like the Psychological Distress Scale, Subscales of Stress, Anger and Somatic Symptoms Scale. Statistical analysis through independent samples t-test revealed a significant difference among husbands of women with and without breast cancer in relation to psychological distress, stress, anger, and somatic symptoms. Husbands of breast cancer patients are more prone to develop psychological problems as they encounter extremely tough challenges in life. From acceptance to breast cancer treatment, they face new hurdles with constant psychological pressure in psychological issues like psychological distress, stress, and somatic symptoms.