Emotional connection to help couples cope with cancer: the role of verbal and nonverbal exchanges

Abstract

Background. Cancer is a significant stressful situation that could lead to emotional disruption for patient and its partner. Intimacy, defined as a process in which one person expresses feelings to another and results of the other’s response to this revelation (Reis & Shaver, 1988), has identified as a potentially factor of psychological adjustment to cancer (Manne et al., 2004). The quality of couple interactions (e.g. self-disclosure, physical proximity) could improve intimacy and determine their adjustment to cancer. This research aims to determine the impact of emotional connection between partners on their 1) perception of intimacy and 2) adjustment to digestive cancer. Method. Twenty couples interacted about an emotionally significant time during the course of cancer after completing self-report questionnaires (intimacy, couples adjustment) and behavioural analysis of emotional connection was conducted. Findings. Preliminary results indicate that indices of emotional connection (gaze, posture, touch, verbal exchanges) have a positive impact on intimacy and partners’ adjustment to cancer. Discussion. Results may have clinical implications for couple’s intervention in order to improve relationship closeness and couples’ quality of life during the disease.