June K Robinson1, Jerod Stapleton, Rob Turrisi. 1. Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA. wtjkr@rcn.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify relationship and partner-related moderating variables that influence the effectiveness of both a couples and a solo learning intervention designed to increase skin self-examination behavior in a sample of patients at risk for developing melanoma. METHODS: Patients received a brief intervention designed to teach skin self-examination skills and were randomly assigned into either a solo learning condition where the intervention was administered to the patient alone (n = 65) or a couple learning condition where the intervention was administered to the patient and patient's spouse or cohabiting partner (n = 65). The main outcome measure was skin self-examination self-efficacy, which is the strongest mediator of skin self-examination. The relationship moderator variables measured were quality of relationship, partner motivation, and ability to assist in implementation of the intervention. RESULTS: When quality of the marital/partner relationship was high, the beneficial effects provided by the partner being included in the skin self-examination skills training were the highest and patients exhibited higher self-efficacy. Similar effects were observed for those with partners who were motivated to implement the intervention, and for those with partners high in ability to provide support. LIMITATIONS: Study limitations include the need to evaluate whether the effects can be sustained long term and the exclusion of patients with melanoma without partners. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of beneficial effects gained by the patient from the skin self-examination intervention was influenced by marital/partner relationships. Clinicians may need to consider these relationship and partner characteristics when communicating to patients about skin cancer screening.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify relationship and partner-related moderating variables that influence the effectiveness of both a couples and a solo learning intervention designed to increase skin self-examination behavior in a sample of patients at risk for developing melanoma. METHODS:Patients received a brief intervention designed to teach skin self-examination skills and were randomly assigned into either a solo learning condition where the intervention was administered to the patient alone (n = 65) or a couple learning condition where the intervention was administered to the patient and patient's spouse or cohabiting partner (n = 65). The main outcome measure was skin self-examination self-efficacy, which is the strongest mediator of skin self-examination. The relationship moderator variables measured were quality of relationship, partner motivation, and ability to assist in implementation of the intervention. RESULTS: When quality of the marital/partner relationship was high, the beneficial effects provided by the partner being included in the skin self-examination skills training were the highest and patients exhibited higher self-efficacy. Similar effects were observed for those with partners who were motivated to implement the intervention, and for those with partners high in ability to provide support. LIMITATIONS: Study limitations include the need to evaluate whether the effects can be sustained long term and the exclusion of patients with melanoma without partners. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of beneficial effects gained by the patient from the skin self-examination intervention was influenced by marital/partner relationships. Clinicians may need to consider these relationship and partner characteristics when communicating to patients about skin cancer screening.
Authors: V E Bovbjerg; B S McCann; D J Brief; W C Follette; B M Retzlaff; A A Dowdy; C E Walden; R H Knopp Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 1995-03-01 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: M E Garay-Sevilla; L E Nava; J M Malacara; R Huerta; J Díaz de León; A Mena; M E Fajardo Journal: J Diabetes Complications Date: 1995 Apr-Jun Impact factor: 2.852
Authors: Susan A Oliveria; Stephen W Dusza; Deborah L Phelan; Jamie S Ostroff; Marianne Berwick; Allan C Halpern Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Deborah L Phelan; Susan A Oliveria; Paul J Christos; Stephen W Dusza; Allan C Halpern Journal: Oncol Nurs Forum Date: 2003 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 2.172
Authors: Carolyn J Heckman; Elizabeth A Handorf; Susan D Darlow; Lee M Ritterband; Sharon L Manne Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2016-11-07 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: Brittney A Hultgren; Rob Turrisi; Kimberly A Mallett; Sarah Ackerman; June K Robinson Journal: JAMA Dermatol Date: 2016-02 Impact factor: 10.282
Authors: L J Titus; K Clough-Gorr; T A Mackenzie; A Perry; S K Spencer; J Weiss; S Abrahams-Gessel; M S Ernstoff Journal: Br J Dermatol Date: 2012-10-05 Impact factor: 9.302
Authors: Susan L Boone; Jerod Stapleton; Rob Turrisi; Sara Ortiz; June K Robinson; Kimberly A Mallett Journal: Australas J Dermatol Date: 2009-08 Impact factor: 2.875