Abstract

Current cancer research is beginning to address the psychosocial implications of a prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis from not just the perspective of quality of life of the patient, but of his partner as well. Such inquiries have created novel intervention programs aiming to alleviate the adverse side effects that a PCa diagnosis may inflict on the couple.
Assessing efficacy of couple-based interventions, however, has been a difficult task due to the lack of homogeneity between studies regarding the operationalization process of primary outcome variables, as well as the instruments being used to measure them. This thesis, in response, aims to provide a detailed assessment of how previous interventions operationalized their targeted variables, the reported psychometric analysis of the instruments of measurement, and which instruments yielded statistically significant results.
A narrative review was conducted using a database search strategy to collect articles regarding couple-based interventions that focused on outcomes related to PCa diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Out of the ten articles that passed the screening method, forty-two outcomes were identified, ranging from physical, social, and mental well-being of the couple, to the impact PCa had on their relationship quality. The outcomes were grouped into eight categories: quality of life, appraisal of PCa outcomes, sexual/physical well-being, relationship assessment, coping, mental health, knowledge, and distress. Various scales were used to measure similar outcomes with some articles failing to report on the psychometric properties of their chosen instruments.
This assessment aims to provide future researchers with an indication as to what outcomes have been previously targeted and their corresponding methods of operationalization, categorization, and analysis. The multitude of assessed outcomes, the lack of uniformity on best practices in PCa couple intervention research, and the general failure to report on reliability and validity of measures may serve as significant barriers to producing high-quality evidence that can inform the development of future research and practice. This review provides the research community an aid in the development of behavioral interventions, and potentially, practice, via offering recommendations on certain outcomes that remain underreported within interventions. It is the ultimate aim of this project to assist in fostering a true public health for all.

Thesis Completion

2016

Semester

Fall

Thesis Chair/Advisor

Rovito, Michael J.

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Health and Public Affairs

Department

Health Professions

Degree Program

Health Sciences (Pre-Clinical)

Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Release Date

December 2016

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