Experiences of Breast Cancer Women About Partner's Unsupportive Behaviors: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Background: Failure to fulfill the physical and psychological needs of breast cancer patients and their partners can result in anxiety, depression, and marital problems. Aim: The present study was performed with aim to elucidate the experiences of breast cancer women regarding partner's unsupportive behaviors. Method: This qualitative study was conducted with a Dickelman descriptive phenomenological approach in the chemotherapy and oncology department of Shahid Ghazi Tabatabai and Shahid Madani hospitals of Tabriz city in 2021. A total of 9 female breast cancer patients were included. Individual in-depth interviews and note-taking were used to collect data using MAXQDA Software. The semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Interviews were analyzed using the Dickelman, Allen, and Turner method. Results: A total of 1500 primary codes were obtained, and finally 3 main categories were extracted including financial inadequacy, emotional impoverishment and breakdown of shared life, and existential devaluation as a woman. Implications for Practice: The results showed need for the husband to pay more attention to the impact of his behavior on his wife; also talking about the problem on the part of the couple is the biggest factor in understanding the support that can be expressed. Also, men and women do not think the same in understanding the needs of their sick partner. Male caregivers are usually less understanding of their spouses. Therefore, health professionals should pay more attention and help men cope with this problem and bear the suffering of their wives.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• experience
• phenomenological study
• unsupportive behaviors