J Korean Oncol Nurs.  2009 Aug;9(2):122-128.

Marital Intimacy and Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer

• Chung C
• Hwang E
• Hwang S

Abstract

PURPOSE
The study was aimed to investigate the levels of marital intimacy and quality of life (QOL) among women with breast cancer.
METHODS
As a descriptive study, a total of 67 married women with breast cancer was recruited via convenient sampling from a breast clinic in an university hospital. A structured, self-reported questionnaire was administered to the participants.
RESULTS
The most participants were housewives in their 40s and 50s, and were in high socioeconomic status. Two thirds of women perceived the marital intimacy with their spouse were increased after the diagnosis of breast cancer. Women's marital intimacy significantly differed by their levels of education. The level of cognitive intimacy was the highest among the subscales, whereas, sexual intimacy was the lowest. The family factor of QOL showed the highest score, and there were differences in QOL by employment status and cancer stage. The QOL and marital intimacy were not correlated significantly.
CONCLUSION
Further research on the couples with breast cancer and intervention for increasing their marital intimacy are needed in the future.

Keyword

Breast cancer; Marital relationship; Quality of life

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Employment
Family Characteristics
Female
Humans
Marriage
Quality of Life
Surveys and Questionnaires
Social Class
Spouses