In this issue of the ISNCC Academic Express column, we highlight a study exploring spousal communication barriers and their relationship with psychological distress among young adults with cancer. This research draws attention to the unique emotional and interpersonal challenges faced by patients navigating cancer during a critical stage of family and personal development.
Based on a study involving 202 married young adults with cancer, the researchers identified key communication difficulties related to body image changes, disease progression, treatment concerns, and sexual experiences. The findings revealed a significant association between spousal communication barriers and depressive symptoms, but not anxiety. This study provides valuable insights into the importance of assessing communication needs and integrating spouse-focused interventions into psychosocial oncology care. It also highlights opportunities for oncology nurses to strengthen emotional support, promote open communication, and deliver more holistic, patient-centred cancer care.
Why We Chose This Research Topic
Young adult (YA) patients with cancer, diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 39 years, are at a critical life stage of family development. There communication with spouses is vital as it is not only a source of emotional support but also a key pathway to help patients rebuild self-worth and cope with negative emotions. Previous studies mainly utilized qualitative research to explore the communication experiences between patients with cancer and their spouses. The target population mainly focused on breast cancer. The perceived communication barriers with spouses among YA patients with cancer remain unclear. We would like to explore these barriers and their association with psychological distress, which were expected to inform interventions to improve spousal communication.
What We Discovered
The analysis included 202 married young adult patients with cancer (mean age = 34.69 years; 77.2% female). Participants completed the Cancer-Related Communication Problems Scale, GAD-7 and PHQ-9. The data demonstrate a mild level of overall communication barriers. Item-level analysis indicates the most prominent communication barriers were difficulty with partner understanding of body image changes, discussing worsening conditions, sharing worries about treatment effectiveness, avoidance of discussing sexual experience, and selective disclosure to protect the spouse. The lowest barrier score was observed for not knowing when the partner wants to talk about cancer. Hierarchical linear regression analyses showed that after adjusting for sex and unemployment status, communication barriers remained independently associated with depressive symptoms. No statistical association was observed between communication barriers and anxiety levels.
Implications for Cancer Care
These findings have implications for optimizing communication and psychosocial support for YA patients with cancer.
1. Routine assessment of spousal communication using brief screening tools is suggested for YA patients with cancer.
2. Interventions are warranted to be designed to guide YA patients in communicating with their spouses, particularly regarding understanding of body image changes, discussing worsening conditions, sharing worries about treatment effectiveness, avoidance of discussing sexual experience, and selective disclosure to protect the spouse.
3. Psychosocial interventions require stratification according to the patient's dominant psychological symptoms. Spouse-based communication interventions are suggested to incorporated into interventions for relieving depressive symptoms.
Corresponding Author: Qinqin Cheng
The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University / Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
Yao, Y., Chen, J., Duan, Y., Xie, J., Chen, X., & Cheng, Q. (2026). Perceived communication barriers with spouses among young adult patients with cancer and their association with psychological distress. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 13, 100989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjon.2026.100989
