Underserved head-and-neck and lung cancer patient characteristics are associated with caregiver participation in a clinical trial.

Background: Patient-caregiver relationships affect cancer outcomes, yet factors related to joint enrollment in cancer research trials are unclear. This work examined associations between cancer patients' sociodemographic and health factors and their caregivers' trial participation. Methods: Baseline data were drawn from a parent trial testing psychosocial interventions delivered to medically underserved head-and-neck cancer (HNC) and lung cancer (LC) patients (N = 274) and caregivers (N = 210). Logistic regression evaluated whether patient characteristics were associated with participating alone versus with a caregiver(s) and type of caregiver. Results: Many patients (65.0%) had a caregiver in the study, which was more common for married (OR = 2.05, p < .01) and retired patients (OR = 1.95, p < .05). Patients who indicated Hispanic (OR = 2.31, p < .05), Medicaid insurance (OR = 4.12, p < .001), monthly income <$4000 (OR = 3.04, p < .01), and smoked (OR = 2.87, p < .01) were more likely to enroll with a non-spouse/partner caregiver versus a spouse/partner. Participation was unrelated to distress. Conclusions: Patient characteristics highlight caregiver relationships, informing trial design and recruitment for medically underserved cancer populations. Psychosocial interventions targeting underserved patients and their informal caregivers, those most in need of intervention support, should consider the inclusion of non-spousal cancer caregivers. Understanding how patient factors may be associated with caregiver involvement informs recruitment strategies and increases the utility of psychosocial interventions.

Differences between complete and incomplete couples in physical health research: Implications for methods and generalizability.

RATIONALE: Couples-based interventions to facilitate health behavior change and improve disease outcomes are gaining attention from researchers. Dyadic research, however, poses unique methodological challenges that have raised questions about research samples and the generalizability of findings. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined whether couples in which both partners participated (i.e., complete couples) in a couples' health research study systematically differed from those in which only one partner participated (i.e., incomplete couples). METHODS: Between January 2014 and November 2015, an online survey was advertised on Facebook to people who were both engaged to be married and living in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area. When the first member of a couple completed the survey (initially recruited participant), they provided their partner's email address, which prompted the research staff to invite the second partner to complete the same online survey. Constructs assessed included demographics, health behaviors, general health status, and relationship quality. Participants answered questions about themself and their partner. Approximately one-third of the partners of initially recruited participants also participated. Data from initial participants in complete couples (N = 265) were compared to data from initial participants in incomplete couples (N = 509). RESULTS: Chi-square tests and independent samples t-tests indicated participants in incomplete couples had significantly lower relationship quality, worse health behaviors, and poorer health status compared to those in complete couples. Reports on partner health behaviors also differed in the same direction between the two groups. Participants in complete couples were more likely to be White, less likely to have children, and had more education than in incomplete couples. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that studies requiring both members of a couple may recruit samples that are less diverse with fewer health concerns than research that only requires individual participation if their partner refused participation. Implications and recommendations for future couples-based health research are discussed.

A pilot randomized study of a telephone-based cognitive-behavioral stress-management intervention to reduce distress in phase 1 oncology trial caregivers.

OBJECTIVES: Caregivers of adult phase 1 oncology trial patients experience high levels of distress and face barriers to in-person supportive care. The Phase 1 Caregiver LifeLine (P1CaLL) pilot study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and general impact of an individual telephone-based cognitive behavioral stress-management (CBSM) intervention for caregivers of phase I oncology trial patients. METHODS: The pilot study involved 4 weekly adapted CBSM sessions followed by participant randomization to 4 weekly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions or metta-meditation sessions. A mixed-methods design used quantitative data from 23 caregivers and qualitative data from 5 caregivers to examine the feasibility and acceptability outcomes. Feasibility was determined using recruitment, retention, and assessment completion rates. Acceptability was assessed with self-reported satisfaction with program content and participation barriers. Baseline to post-intervention changes in caregiver distress and other psychosocial outcomes were assessed for the 8-session intervention. RESULTS: The enrollment rate was 45.3%, which demonstrated limited feasibility based on an a priori criterion enrollment rate of 50%. Participants completed an average of 4.9 sessions, with 9/25 (36%) completing all sessions and an 84% assessment completion rate. Intervention acceptability was high, and participants found the sessions helpful in managing stress related to the phase 1 oncology trial patient experience. Participants showed reductions in worry and isolation and stress. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The P1CaLL study demonstrated adequate acceptability and limited feasibility and provided data on the general impact of the intervention on caregiver distress and other psychosocial outcomes. Caregivers of phase 1 oncology trial patients would benefit from supportive care services; a telephone-based intervention may have more utilization and thus make a larger impact.

Impacts of breast cancer and chemotherapy on gut microbiome, cognitive functioning, and mood relative to healthy controls.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy experience cognitive impairment, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and physical side effects including disruption in the diversity and community composition of the gut microbiome. To date, there is limited research exploring the associations among these specific challenges. The present cross-sectional study explored the associations of self-reported cognitive functioning, depression, and anxiety symptoms, and gut microbiome diversity and community composition in women who were diagnosed with and undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer (BC) compared to cancer-free healthy controls (HC). The BC group displayed higher rates of cognitive dysfunction (p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (p < 0.05) relative to HC. There was a significant difference in microbiome community composition between BC and HC, particularly characterized by a decreased relative abundance of the mucin-degrading genus Akkermansia in BC compared to HC (p < 0.05). Association models identified significant associations among group, cognitive, depression, and microbiome variables (p < 0.001). Overall, the study identified that BC participants experienced significant differences in self-reported cognitive functioning, self-reported depression symptoms, microbiome community composition, and mucin-degrading bacteria of the gut-mucosal barrier, relative to HC. The present study is consistent with the hypothesis that gut microbiome community composition impacts a woman's experience with breast cancer and treatment suggesting that microbiome-based interventions have potential for improving quality of life outcomes in individuals with breast cancer.

The development and psychometric examination of the partner investment in health scale.

OBJECTIVE: Relationship partners' impacts on health are not fully captured by existing measures. A measure that applies to a prevention context and accounts for both partners' perspectives is needed. This work developed and assessed the psychometric properties of the novel Partner Investment in Health scale (PI-H). DESIGN: A cross-sectional design assessed participants (N = 261) using an online survey. Exploratory factor analyses were used to determine the PI-H factor structure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Items assessed the person's investment in their partner's health and their perception of their partner's investment in their health. RESULTS: A 2 factor structure underlying 24 items on the PI-H scale was supported. Factors represented 1) the respondent's investment and 2) the respondent's perception of their partner's investment. The PI-H significantly correlated with related measures (e.g. relationship satisfaction, dyadic and communal coping; p < .05). CONCLUSION: A full PI-H scale, two subscales, and a short version of the scale (8 items) are presented. Correlations demonstrated convergent validity and suggested the PI-H is distinct from existing constructs. Theoretical implications and applications are discussed.

Effects of remotely-delivered physical activity education on exercise beliefs and intentions of active and nonactive cancer survivors and their partners.

Physical activity (PA) is recommended for cancer survivors and their romantic partners yet cancer couples may be unaware of the benefits of PA specific to them. Exercise interventions targeting survivors and partners simultaneously may prove effective at increasing exercise knowledge, intentions, and outcomes. To examine the effects of a remotely-delivered cancer-specific exercise education video on cancer survivors' and their partners' exercise knowledge, beliefs, and intentions. Cancer survivors (N = 209) and their romantic partners (N = 155) completed an online survey with an embedded education video randomized to half the sample. Group differences (education vs. control) on study constructs among the whole sample and on a subset of the sample not meeting exercise guidelines [i.e., less than 150 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week; 50.5% survivors, 45.1% partners] were examined. Group differences on study constructs were also tested between survivors and partners meeting exercise guidelines or not. Survivors and partners in the education condition were more likely to correctly report the MVPA guidelines. The education increased survivors' personal exercise importance, outcome expectations, and likelihood of joining an individual exercise program. Participants meeting guidelines were significantly different on multiple exercise beliefs compared to those who were not. Among those not meeting guidelines, the education increased survivors' belief in the importance of exercising with their partner. A remotely-delivered exercise education video increased exercise knowledge and beliefs, which represents an important step in the development of couples' exercise interventions for cancer survivors and their romantic partners.

Exercise, defined as intentional physical activity, is recommended for cancer survivors and their romantic partners. However, few know the specific benefits of exercise following a cancer diagnosis. Theories of health behavior change suggest that access to information may influence individuals' valued importance of and intentions for a health practice. This work tested if an online video about cancer-specific exercise benefits could modify cancer survivors' and their romantic partners' exercise knowledge and beliefs. Cancer survivors and their romantic partners individually completed an online survey. The educational video was randomly embedded into the survey for half of participants. Survivors and partners who received the educational video were more likely to correctly report established exercise guidelines compared to those who did not get the video. The educational video also increased survivors' personal exercise importance, outcome expectations for exercise, and likelihood of joining an individual exercise program. Among survivors who were less active than the recommended guidelines, the educational video increased their importance of exercising with their partner. This research shows that an online video about exercise after cancer increased both survivors' and their partners' exercise knowledge as well as survivors' exercise beliefs and intentions to take part in an exercise program.

More often than not, we're in sync: patient and caregiver well-being over time in stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an aggressive medical procedure which significantly impacts the shared emotional well-being of patients and family caregivers (FC). Prior work has highlighted the significant overlap in well-being among patients and FCs; however, how this interdependence may change over the course of HSCT has received less attention. METHODS: We conducted secondary analyses of a supportive intervention delivered to 154 FCs of HSCT patients and examined relationships at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months post-HSCT. Actor Partner Interdependence Modeling examined patient quality of life (QOL) and FC anxiety/depression. RESULTS: The data did not fit a multigroup approach limiting our ability to test intervention effects; however, bivariate analyses indicated FC depression significantly correlated to patient QOL at baseline (r = - .32), 6 weeks (r = - .22) and 6 months post-HSCT (r = - .34; p's < .05); whereas FC anxiety was only correlated with patient QOL at the first two timepoints (p's < .05). There was an unexpected, partner effect such that worse patient QOL at 6-weeks significantly related to lower FC depression at 3-months (B = .193; p = .026) and changed direction with patient QOL at 3-months being related to more FC depression at 6-months (B = - .187; p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the significant, yet nuanced, interdependence of patient QOL and FC well-being during HSCT. Specifically, greater interdependence was observed between patient QOL and FC depression compared to FC anxiety, suggesting potential treatment targets for patients and their families. Trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02037568; first registered: January 16, 2014; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02037568.

What Matters Most? Predictors of Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction Among Young Breast Cancer Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Younger breast cancer survivors face unique challenges, and research is needed to better understand how to optimize their quality of life (QoL) and satisfaction with life (SwL). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine a biopsychosocial model of QoL and SwL in young breast cancer survivors. Biological, psychological, and social/practical factors were hypothesized to be associated with both distressing and adaptive reactions during survivorship, which in turn were hypothesized to be associated with QoL and SwL. METHODS: Young (age = 19-45 years at diagnosis) breast cancer survivors (N = 284) completed an online survey assessing demographic and biopsychosocial factors, QoL, and SwL. Latent variables were created for adaptive and distressing reactions, and structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships. RESULTS: The model fit the data (χ2(100) = 332.92, P < .001, comparative fit index = 0.86, root mean square error of approximation = 0.09, standardized root mean square residual = 0.05) and accounted for large proportions of variance in QoL (R2 = 0.86) and SwL (R2 = 0.62). Social support, parenting concerns, and fertility concerns each significantly predicted adjustment. Adaptive reactions positively predicted SwL (ß = 0.58, P < .001) but not QoL. Distressing reactions negatively predicted SwL (ß = -0.26, P < .01) and QoL (ß = -0.87, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Adjustment in survivorship mediated the association of social support, parenting concerns, and fertility concerns on QoL and SwL in young breast cancer survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: To support the psychological adjustment of young breast cancer survivors, attention should be given to survivors' social context including survivors' available social support and their concerns about fertility and parenting.

Perceived Stress and Depressive Symptoms as Predictors of Decisional Conflict in Dyads Considering a Left Ventricular Assist Device.

BACKGROUND: The decision to pursue a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) commits loved ones to major caregiving responsibilities and, often, medical decision-making. How emotional domains overlap within patients and their caregivers and contribute to conflict around the decision to pursue LVAD remains largely unexplored. METHODS AND RESULTS: The associations within and between individuals in patient-caregiver dyads considering LVAD were estimated in a specific type of structural equation model known as the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. This model tested whether each person's depression and stress predicted their own decisional conflict (actor effects), as well as their partner's decisional conflict (partner effects). At the time of study enrollment when a formal LVAD evaluation was initiated, 162 patient-caregiver dyads completed assessments of decisional conflict using the Decisional Conflict Scale, depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, and stress using the Perceived Stress Scale. Across both models, decisional conflict was significantly correlated within patient-caregiver dyads (ß=0.47 and 0.44, for depression and perceived stress models, respectively, P<0.001). Greater perceived stress in both the patient (ß=0.18; P<0.05) and caregiver (ß=0.28; P<0.001) was significantly related to greater decisional conflict (both actor effects). Greater patient depressive symptoms were related to greater patient decisional conflict (ß=0.16; P<0.05), whereas caregiver depression symptoms was not related to their own decisional conflict (ß=0.07; P=0.37). There were no partner effects identified between decisional conflict and perceived stress or depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Patient and caregiver conflict over the decision to pursue an LVAD was highly correlated in this sample, with greater perceived stress significantly predicting greater decisional conflict in both patients and caregivers. Depressive symptoms in patients also predicted greater patient decisional conflict. No partner effects were identified in predicting decisional conflict. These results contribute to a larger body of work acknowledging the importance of patient-caregiver well-being in serious illness. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02344576.

A Couples-Based Approach for Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine feasibility outcomes and obtain initial efficacy data on an intervention testing collaborative implementation intentions (IIs) for physical activity (PA) among participants with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The study used a pilot randomized design and enrolled people with diabetes (PWD) and their partners (N = 40 couples, 80 individuals). PWD reported psychosocial measures, including self-efficacy for PA, diabetes partner investment in diabetes self-management, and PA-related social support. Accelerometers (objective) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (self-report) were used to assess PA. RESULTS: Participants in both experimental conditions reported being satisfied with the intervention and highly committed to their PA plans. Participants were able to follow instructions and completed the intervention in less than 30 minutes. Participants in the collaborative IIs condition reported a greater increase in PA-related social support (partial 2 = .185, P < .05) and self-reported recreational PA (partial 2 = .210, P < .05) at 6 weeks compared to the other 2 conditions. In this pilot study, there were no significant group differences on other psychosocial outcomes or for objective PA; however, time in light PA trended higher for the collaborative IIs condition compared to the other 2 conditions (partial 2 = .237, P = .056). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides initial support for collaborative IIs for PA with PWD and their partners. This brief intervention was feasible and highly acceptable, and it may improve relationship dynamics around PA as well as ultimately increase PA.

Illness uncertainty, partner support, and quality of life: A dyadic longitudinal investigation of couples facing prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer (PC) and its treatment often result in chronic, negative side-effects that affect both patients and their romantic partners. Illness uncertainty is a chronic stressor that impacts PC patients and their partners and, if left unmanaged, predicts decreased interpersonal functioning and quality of life (QOL) after treatment is complete. This study explored associations among psychosocial constructs, measured from both partners during the first year following a PC diagnosis, to better understand both partners' experiences and identify potential intervention targets for improving QOL. METHODS: Couples (N = 165) in which one partner was undergoing treatment for PC were recruited from the Duke University Medical Center of Urology. Patients and their partners were surveyed at four time points: diagnosis and 1-, 6-, and 12-months post treatment. An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) framework was used to examine associations among perceived partner support, nonsupportive behaviors, illness uncertainty, relationship satisfaction, and physical and mental QOL. RESULTS: Partners feeling more supported at diagnosis was related to patients feeling more supported at 6 months. When patients' illness uncertainty decreased between diagnosis and 1 month, partners reported feeling more supported and engaging in fewer nonsupportive behaviors at 6-months post-treatment. Finally, partners' reports of support at 6 months predicted patients' 12-month ratings of physical and mental QOL and relationship satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight psychological interdependence between PC patients and their partners. Future interventions to improve long-term QOL in couples facing PC may benefit by targeting both partner support and illness uncertainty.

Influence of Relationship Partners on Self-Efficacy for Self-Management Behaviors Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes must engage in daily self-management behaviors to prevent complications. Given that management may be shared with a person's romantic partner, we examined both patients' and their partners' perceptions of relationship characteristics that were hypothesized to affect patients' self-efficacy for diabetes management. Adults with type 2 diabetes and their partners (n = 52 couples, 104 individuals) completed measures of three aspects of relationships that are theorized to affect self-efficacy: partner investment, partner support, and relationship satisfaction. Patients reported their self-efficacy for diabetes management and weekly frequency of diabetes self-management behaviors. A common fate modeling approach in which constructs were modeled as agreement between partner reports showed that relationship factors (investment, support, and satisfaction) significantly predicted patient self-efficacy (R 2 = 0.49), which in turn predicted patient self-management behaviors. This model fit the data well [χ2 (41) = 48.60, P = 0.19; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.96; root mean square error of approximation = 0.06; and standardized root mean square residual = 0.07]. Interventions designed to support patients in their self-efficacy for self-management behavior may be improved through consideration of patients' romantic relationships.

Identifying Subgroups of Adult Superutilizers in an Urban Safety-Net System Using Latent Class Analysis: Implications for Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND: Patients with repeated hospitalizations represent a group with potentially avoidable utilization. Recent publications have begun to highlight the heterogeneity of this group. Latent class analysis provides a novel methodological approach to utilizing administrative data to identify clinically meaningful subgroups of patients to inform tailored intervention efforts. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to identify clinically distinct subgroups of adult superutilizers. RESEARCH DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis. SUBJECTS: Adult patients who had an admission at an urban safety-net hospital in 2014 and 2 or more admissions within the preceding 12 months. MEASURES: Patient-level medical, mental health (MH) and substance use diagnoses, social characteristics, demographics, utilization and charges were obtained from administrative data. Latent class analyses were used to determine the number and characteristics of latent subgroups that best represented these data. RESULTS: In this cohort (N=1515), a 5-class model was preferred based on model fit indices, clinical interpretability and class size: class 1 (16%) characterized by alcohol use disorder and homelessness; class 2 (14%) characterized by medical conditions, MH/substance use disorders and homelessness; class 3 (25%) characterized primarily by medical conditions; class 4 (13%) characterized by more serious MH disorders, drug use disorder and homelessness; and class 5 (32%) characterized by medical conditions with some MH and substance use. Patient demographics, utilization, charges and mortality also varied by class. CONCLUSIONS: The overall cohort had high rates of multiple chronic medical conditions, MH, substance use disorders, and homelessness. However, the patterns of these conditions were different between subgroups, providing important information for tailoring interventions.

Successes and failures in resisting cigarettes affect partner support for smoking cessation.

OBJECTIVE: Potential support providers may rely on observable behaviours (e.g. resisting a cigarette vs. smoking) to determine how much and what kind of support to provide. We evaluated the effect of smokers' salient behaviour on partners' likelihood of providing positive and negative support. DESIGN: Partners of smokers (N = 131) were randomly assigned to recall a time when their partner either successfully resisted a cigarette, failed to resist a cigarette or a control condition (no recall). All participants reported the likelihood of providing positive and negative support to their partner. Perceived commitment to quitting smoking was measured as a potential mediator. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome was intention to provide support for a quit attempt. RESULTS: Participants who recalled their partners' past failures reported more intentions to engage in negative support and smaller ratios of positive to negative intended support than did participants in the success or control condition. These effects were partially mediated by perception of commitment to quitting. CONCLUSION: Lapses in a quit attempt may change the nature of the support quitters receive. Interventions to improve communication between partners about the smoker's commitment to quitting and experienced challenges may result in better support.

Identifying groups at risk for 1-year membership termination from a fitness center at enrollment.

The vast majority of Americans do not engage in adequate regular physical activity despite its well-known health benefits. Even when individuals attempt to become more active by joining a fitness center, estimates suggest that nearly half terminate their membership within the first 6 months. A better understanding of who is at risk for early membership termination upon joining may help researchers develop targeted interventions to improve the likelihood that individuals will successfully maintain memberships and physical activity. This study's purpose was to identify, based on a wellness assessment (WA) used in fitness centers, individuals at risk for fitness membership termination prior to 1-year. Center members (N = 441; Mage = 41.9, SD = 13.1; 74.4% female) completed a comprehensive WA of stress, life satisfaction, physical fitness, metabolic health, and sleep quality at the beginning of their memberships and were followed for one year. Latent class analyses utilized the WA to identify four groups: (a) healthy, (b) unhealthy, (c) poor psychological wellness, and (d) poor physical wellness. Participants in the poor psychological wellness group (OR = 2.24, p = 0.007) and the unhealthy group (OR = 2.40, p = 0.037) were significantly more likely to terminate their memberships at 1-year as compared to the healthy group. Participants with poor physical wellness visited the fitness center less frequently than healthy participants (p < 0.01). Results suggest that poor psychological wellness is a risk factor for terminating memberships, whereas poor physical wellness is not. Future studies should replicate these latent classes and develop targeted interventions to address psychological wellness as a method to improve fitness membership retention.

Empiric validation of a process for behavior change.

Most behavior change trials focus on outcomes rather than deconstructing how those outcomes related to programmatic theoretical underpinnings and intervention components. In this report, the process of change is compared for three evidence-based programs' that shared theories, intervention elements and potential mediating variables. Each investigation was a randomized trial that assessed pre- and post- intervention variables using survey constructs with established reliability. Each also used mediation analyses to define relationships. The findings were combined using a pattern matching approach. Surprisingly, knowledge was a significant mediator in each program (a and b path effects [p<0.01]). Norms, perceived control abilities, and self-monitoring were confirmed in at least two studies (p<0.01 for each). Replication of findings across studies with a common design but varied populations provides a robust validation of the theory and processes of an effective intervention. Combined findings also demonstrate a means to substantiate process aspects and theoretical models to advance understanding of behavior change.

Incorporating husband influences into a model of physical activity among older women.

BACKGROUND: Health behaviour models focus primarily on intrapersonal constructs (e.g., self-efficacy) which are good predictors of intention but less so of actual behaviour. Influences from the social environment, namely from close others, may improve prediction of engagement in ongoing behaviour. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to broadly assess husband influence on physical activity and to determine whether a multidimensional assessment of husband influence would improve prediction of wives' physical activity. DESIGN: A two-wave (separated by 4 months) observational study of married women was employed. METHOD: Women (n = 160, Mage  = 63 years) reported intention, planning, and self-efficacy for physical activity as well as previous month physical activity through Wave 1 mailed surveys. In Wave 2 telephone interviews conducted 4 months later, women reported on their perception of husband influences and their own physical activity in the previous month. RESULTS: Psychometric analyses supported five components of social support along with social control, injunctive norms, and descriptive norms as a broad assessment of husband social influence on physical activity. Husband influences significantly improved prediction of wives' physical activity, over and above intrapersonal predictors (ΔR(2)  = .09). Social control related negatively to behaviour; moderation analyses revealed a strong negative association when women's intentions were low. CONCLUSIONS: This work highlights the interpersonal social context and post-intentional influences on daily health behaviour and offers guidance on the expansion of models of health behaviour as well as potential targets for intervention. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Behavioural intentions are the best predictors of behaviour; however, much variability in actual behaviour remains to be explained. Romantic partners are frequent providers of health-related social support and social control. What does this study add? Provides multidimensional assessment of husband influence. Improves prediction of behaviour using husband influences. Demonstrates moderator of social control on behaviour.

Effects of physical and mental health on relationship satisfaction: a dyadic, longitudinal examination of couples facing prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Prostate cancer may affect quality of life in men diagnosed as well as their spouses. Changes in health may disrupt the couple's relationship functioning which disrupts recovery. This study examined how mental and physical health relates to relationship satisfaction for couples at diagnosis through the year following treatment. METHODS: Patients with stage I-II prostate cancer and their spouses (N = 159 couples) were recruited from a urology clinic and completed questionnaires at diagnosis, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months post prostatectomy on demographics, mental and physical health quality of life, and relationship satisfaction. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model was employed to examine effects of each partners' mental and physical health on their own and their partner's relationship satisfaction. RESULTS: Patients and spouses had declined mental and physical health at 1 month post-surgery. Health improved at 6 and 12 months but did not fully return to pre-surgery levels. Actor effects showed that patient's physical health consistently predicted own relationship satisfaction. Both patient's and spouse's mental health consistently related to their own relationship satisfaction. Partner effects showed that patient's and spouse's physical health had an effect on each other's relationship satisfaction at 1 month. Spouse's mental health predicted patient's relationship satisfaction throughout the year following treatment. CONCLUSION: The effects of patient and spouse mental and physical health quality of life on their own as well as their partner's relationship satisfaction differed across time which will inform psychosocial interventions for couples with prostate cancer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Willingness to provide support for a quit attempt: A study of partners of smokers.

Support from close others predicts smoking abstinence, yet little research has investigated what factors promote support. This study investigates predictors of support for a quit attempt. Partners of smokers (N = 131) reported their relationship quality, concern for partner's health, own smoking status, and intended support for a quit attempt. Smokers were less supportive than were nonsmokers. Relationship quality, concern for partners' health, and motivation to quit were positively associated, and nicotine dependence was negatively associated, with intended support. The findings suggest that support for smoking cessation depends on one's own smoking behaviors as well as characteristics of the relationship.