The Effect of Group Counselling based on Constructive Couple Communication on Perceived Spousal Support in Uterine and Cervical Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Uterine and Cervical cancer survivors face challenges like the disruption of emotional and sexual relationships, struggle to maintain sexual life and intimacy, and the possibility of divorce. The study aimed to determine the effect of group counseling based on couples' constructive communication on perceived spousal support in uterine and cervical cancer survivors.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial on 40 women who survived uterine and cervical cancer were recruited using convenience sampling and then randomly allocated to a couple-based constructive communication intervention group and a routine cancer center care control group from June 2019 to March 2020 in Motahhari and Imam Khomeini hospitals in Urmia. The intervention group was involved in a group counseling session weekly for 5 weeks, regarding constructive couple communication skills. Perceived spouse support was assessed using the sources of social support scale which has 4 subscales informational, instrumental, emotional, and negative support before and one week after the end of the intervention in both groups. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24 through Independent and paired t-tests, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon, chi-square, and ANCOVA. P value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The effect of the intervention was statistically significant in reducing negative support in the intervention group (2.70±0.80) in comparison with the control group (3.40±1.04) (P=0.03). It was also statistically significant in increasing informational support (3.45±0.71 vs. 2.15±0.80, P<0.001), instrumental support (3.15±0.58 vs. 2.85±0.74, P<0.001), and emotional support (19.40±1.60 vs. 16.10±2.10, P<0.001).

Conclusion: Group counseling based on couple constructive communication increased perceived spousal support in uterine and cervical cancer survivors. Trial Registration Number: IRCT20150125020778N22.