The cancer couple: How does attachment style affect loneliness, subjective well-being, and satisfaction with relationship?

Abstract

Cancer is one of the main public health problems that occur worldwide and in the case of Mexico, it is the third disease that causes deaths. This being a disease that lacks a definitive cure, the consequences it brings in the patient's life are irreversible and difficult to cope with. In the same sense, the couple is impacted by the disease and the role they must assume as caregiver. Thus, it was essential in this research to integrate little-studied variables in people with cancer and their partners. Therefore, the objectives of this research were: (1) To explore the differences between people with cancer and their caregivers regarding the variables of attachment, loneliness, subjective well-being and marital health and (2) Identify the relationship between the type of attachment with loneliness, subjective well-being and marital satisfaction in people with cancer and their caregivers, separately. All this in a sample of 195 couples from Mexico City, whose ages ranged from 18 to 79 years. The results indicate that it is people with cancer who have the most effects on the perception of loneliness, subjective well-being and satisfaction with their relationship. Likewise, strong associations were found especially between participants with secure attachment and the support they received from their partner, family and friends, both in people with cancer and their caregivers.