Qualitative analysis of naturalistically observed conversations among same‐ and different‐gender couples coping with breast cancer

Abstract

This naturalistic observation study explored communication between partners in different types of romantic couples coping with breast cancer (women with women [WW] and women with men [WM]). Past research has suggested WW, versus WM, couples are more likely to have a concordant, immersive approach to coping with illness, characterized by increased emotional disclosure and an emphasis on caregiving. This study aimed to further explore similarities and differences among WW and WM that may suggest how these types of couples cope with and adjust to cancer. Women with breast cancer and their partners wore the Electronically Activated Recorder over one weekend during treatment, as part of a larger study. Sound files from a subsample of eight WW couples and eight matched WM couples were qualitatively analyzed using thematic analysis. Overall, WW, versus WM, couples appeared to have more concordant approaches to coping with cancer, which seemed to be associated with less conflict or argumentative communication, suggesting WW may have better coping outcomes than WM. Understanding how diverse types of couples communicate about breast cancer in daily life may help clinicians tailor their treatments to their patients' unique needs.