Finding out you have cancer is life-changing, and can often put a dent in relationships... primarily with your significant other. The extra amount of stress can cause tension and lead to challenges within your relationship.
However, according to a study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, couples who deal with the illness as a team, rather than individually, experience greater intimacy.
Sorting through the negative yet highly important responsibilities, like writing up a new will, doesn't need to be the only communication throughout your illness. Talking about distractions or learning to keep a sense of humor can help couples pull through the difficult challenges together.
Licensed clinical social worker, Dr. Katherine Puckett, PhD, discusses how cancer can affect your relationship and shares tips to stay strong together throughout the overwhelming process.
Cancer & Relationships: Getting through It Together
Studies show that in couples who dealt with cancer as a team, their relationship was associated with greater intimacy.
Additional Info
- Segment Number: 4
- Audio File: staying_well/1347sw1d.mp3
- Featured Speaker: Katherine Puckett, PhD
- Organization: Cancer Treatment Centers of America
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Guest Bio:
Dr. Puckett is a licensed clinical social worker. She earned a PhD from the University of Chicago and a master's degree in social work from Loyola University.
Dr. Puckett joined Cancer Treatment Centers of America with more than 25 years of experience in human services, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations who have sustained major losses.
Her broad-based professional background includes more than 20 years in leadership positions in social services and healthcare, with additional experience as a clinician, researcher and teaching assistant - Length (mins): 10
- Waiver Received: Yes
- Host: Melanie Cole, MS
Published in
Staying Well
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