Social support, social constraint, and affect in spouses of women with breast cancer: The role of cognitive processing

Social support and constraint may impact cognitive processing of traumatic or stressful events, thereby influencing adjustment. This study tested a path model accounting for positive and negative affect in male spouses of women with breast cancer (N = 105). The model examined support and constraint from the patient and others, as well as mediators of cancer-related intrusive thoughts and avoidance. Constraint from the patient was associated with affect in the healthy spouse. The relationship with positive affect was mediated by avoidance, while the relationship with negative affect was mediated by intrusive thoughts. Support from others was directly linked to positive affect. Spouses who perceive social constraint from the patient may experience poorer psychological adjustment due to impeded cognitive processing of the cancer experience.