Interaction between illness cognitions and dyadic coping: a qualitative exploration of stress adaptation in young and middle-aged colorectal cancer patients and their spouses

Sep 22, 2026

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Purpose explores how young and middle-aged colorectal cancer (CRC) couples adapt to stress by examining how illness cognitions interact with dyadic coping. Methods use purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews with eight patient–spouse pairs at a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou (Oct 2023–Feb 2024), analyzed via six-stage interpretative phenomenological analysis with NVivo 12.0 for hierarchical themes. Results identify intrapersonal dynamics, cross-partner dyadic mechanisms, and moderators. Conclusions emphasize bidirectional influences and the need for family-systems psychosocial interventions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Global burden of colorectal cancer

Stress adaptation and couple impact

Systemic transactional model and illness cognition

Supportive Care in Cancer (2026) 34:291 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-10463-x](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-10463-x) Interaction between illness cognitions and dyadic coping: a qualitative exploration of stress adaptation in young and middle-aged colorectal cancer patients and their spouses Qian Sun1,2 · Peirong Xu1 · Yuee Wen3 · Lei Ruan4 · Xuelan Liu4 · Junsheng Peng1,3,5 · Janelle Yorke2 · KaYan Ho2 Received: 19 August 2025 / Accepted: 12 February 2026 / Published online: 8 March 2026 © The Author(s) 2026 Abstract Purpose To explore the stress adaptation experiences of young and middle-aged couples with colorectal cancer (CRC), specifically examining the interaction between illness cognitions and dyadic coping. Methods Using purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight pairs of young and middle-aged CRC couples, along with eight patients and five spouses, at a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou from October 2023 to February 2024. Data were analyzed following the six-stage process outlined in the interpretative phenomenological analysis research guidelines, with coding and organization supported by Nvivo 12.0 software to extract hierarchical themes reflecting the interaction process between illness cognitions and dyadic coping in CRC couples. Results Three themes emerged: (1) Intrapersonal dynamics: positive illness cognitions facilitated adaptive coping strategies, whereas negative cognitions triggered maladaptive coping behaviors. (2) Dyadic mechanisms: a cross-partner influence was observed where one partner’s illness cognitions affected the other’s coping through specific pathways, including negative resonance, reverse activation, and compensatory adaptive coping. (3) Key moderators: relationship intimacy, communication quality, family resilience, social support, family role identity, and division of labor significantly moderated these interactions. Conclusions The findings reveal complex bidirectional influences between CRC couples, including compensatory and reverse activation mechanisms. Relationship intimacy, communication quality, family role identity, resilience, and social support play crucial moderating roles in facilitating or hindering adaptive coping. These results underscore the necessity of psychosocial interventions adopting a family systems perspective, focusing on enhancing communication skills, clarifying role division, and strengthening support networks to improve psychological adjustment in cancer-affected families. Keywords Colorectal cancer · Illness cognitions · Dyadic coping · Stress adaptation · Qualitative research Junsheng Peng and Ka Yan Ho contributed equally to this work. * Junsheng Peng [pengjsh@mail.sysu.edu.cn](pengjsh@mail.sysu.edu.cn) * Ka Yan Ho [kyeva.ho@polyu.edu.hk](kyeva.ho@polyu.edu.hk) 1 School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China 2 School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China 3 Gastrointestinal Surgery Unit, Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Tianhe District, 26 Erheng Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China 4 Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China 5 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Supported By National Key Clinical Discipline, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Introduction According to the World Health Organization, over 1.92 million new colorectal cancer (CRC) cases occurred worldwide in 2022, making it the third most common malignancy, with about 900,000 deaths, ranking as the second in cancer-related mortality [1]. By 2030, CRC incidence and mortality are projected to rise by 60%, reaching 2.2 million new cases and 1.1 million deaths [2] . Both rates are increasing, with onset shifting to younger ages, creating a substantial and escalating d

FAQs

What does the study aim to examine about CRC couples?

It examines how young and middle-aged patients’ and spouses’ illness cognitions interact with dyadic coping to shape stress adaptation.

How were participants recruited and what method was used?

Participants were recruited using purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight patient–spouse pairs, then analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis supported by NVivo 12.0.

What key themes and moderators were identified?

Three themes emerged (intrapersonal dynamics, dyadic mechanisms, and key moderators). Moderators include relationship intimacy, communication quality, family resilience, social support, family role identity, and division of labor.

Sep 22, 2026

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