Male Spouses' Experiences in Providing Support and Care for Women With Breast Cancer: A Qualitative Systematic Review and Metasynthesis.
Liyun Kong, Huichen Yang, Yi Li et al.
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In 30 seconds
This qualitative systematic review and metasynthesis examined male spouses’ experiences of supporting and caring for women who had survived breast cancer. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute qualitative synthesis method, the authors assessed and synthesized findings from 14 studies. Four themes emerged: positive and negative emotional responses; physical, economic, and social consequences; changes in parenting and intimate relationships; and coping strategies. The review concludes that caregiving can involve substantial challenges and that caregiver support should address multiple needs.
Key findings
- Synthesis of 14 studies identified four themes spanning emotional responses, caregiving consequences, family and relationship changes, and coping.
- Male spouses described physical, economic, and social consequences associated with caring for women with breast cancer.
- Caregiving was linked in the qualitative findings to changes in child-rearing and intimate relationships.
Why it matters
Spousal caregiving may affect caregivers’ wellbeing, family roles, and relationships as well as the support they provide. Recognizing this range of experiences can help healthcare services consider caregivers’ needs alongside those of breast cancer survivors and identify areas where tailored support may be useful.