1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«In summary, extensive research on couple communication and cancer has demonstrated that communication during these challenging times is an important factor for psychological distress and health outcomes. […]The aim of the present study therefore, is to validate the Couples’ Cancer Communication Scale (CCC) used in Normand et al. (2004) study, using their original database.» (p. 9-10)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«It is hypothesized that the CCC will correlate with measures of similar construct, and thus expect to correlate well with the PCI. Based on the preceding review of literature, the predictive validity of the CCC scale will be examined using the ‘Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale’ (CES-D) and the Locke & Wallace ‘Marital Adjustment Test’ (MAT). The objective is to determine if the Couples’ Cancer Communication scale (CCC) will predict depressive symptomatology scores and marital adjustment above and beyond what can be predicted by general communication.» (p. 10)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«The current study was part of a larger psycho-oncology study directed by Dr. Jean-Claude Lasry, funded by the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance. Normand, Lasry, Margolese, Perry & Fleiszer’s (2004) sample included 120 women (M = 52 years old) diagnosed with breast cancer (Stage I or II), and 109 of their spouses (M = 55 years old).» (p. 10)

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«The current study provides evidence that the CCC has good psychometric properties – it demonstrated good convergent and predictive validity, however, the modest, but acceptable reliability coefficient also indicates that results obtained should be interpreted with care.» (p. 26) «The CCC scale demonstrated good predictive validity. It was able to predict both depression and marital adjustment scores above and beyond general communication (PCI). This lends evidence towards illness-specific communication being, if not unique, at least a distinctive subcategory of general communication. Couples, who are facing a life-threatening disease, undergo unique stressors and must continuously cope with numerous challenges that other couples never have to endure and adapt to. These findings are consistent with those found by Normand et al. (2004) and further complement their findings. Normand et al. (2004) had initially studied cancer related communication and depressive symptoms in breast cancer couples. The researchers found that cancer related communication was negatively correlated to depressive symptoms for both patients and partners. The current study was able to validate the CCC scale used in Normand et al. (2004) study and provide evidence that couple illness-specific communication represents an important and separate sub-division of communication than general communication.» (p. 28)