Coping-Together: A study to help couples manage a recent cancer diagnosis

INTERVENTION: Descriptions of intervention(s) / exposure: The intervention group receive a self‐directed illness self‐management and coping skills training intervention, Coping‐Together that aims to provide couples with the resources they need to confront the challenges posed by a cancer diagnosis. A holistic foundation underpins Coping‐Together, including strategies to manage physical, social, psychological and existential cancer‐related challenges. The core component of Coping‐Together is a series of 6 booklets, each addressing one of the following challenges: 1) communicating with health care professionals, 2) making treatment‐related decisions, 3) managing symptoms and side effects of treatment, 4) managing worries and emotions, 5) supporting your partner, and 6) accessing community support services. The Coping‐Together booklets are complemented by multi‐media resources, including a DVD, Relaxation CD and a website. The duration of the trial is 6 months, during which time participants (regardless of group allocation) will be asked to use the information resources they have been sent, complete follow‐up surveys and participate in an orientation phone call/interview (duration approximately 5‐10 minutes) to discuss their intended use of the resource material. The Coping‐Together group also receives the Minimal Ethical Care control materials. In regards to resource use, couples are asked to use the resources as much as they can, however it is acknowledged that not all content will apply to every participant. It is therefore expected that the time spent using the intervention materials will vary from participant to participant. CONDITION: Adjustment to cancer Anxiety Cancer ‐ breast, prostate, colorectal (bowel) and melanoma PRIMARY OUTCOME: Anxiety, patient's and partner's, as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ‐ Anxiety subscale (HADS‐A) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Coping: ; Individual coping, as measured by scores on the Brief COPE ; Dyadic coping, as measured by scores on the Dyadic Coping Inventory. Depression, patient's and partner's, as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ‐ Depression subscale (HADS‐D) Distress, patient's and partner's, as measured by the Distress Thermometer Patient and Partner Self‐efficacy and empowerment, as measured by: Communication and Attitudinal Self‐Efficacy Scale for Cancer (CASE‐C), Health Education Impact Questionairre (heiQ, patients only) and Caregiver Empowerment Scale (partners only) Quality of life, as measured by the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL ‐ 8). Relationship satisfaction, as measured by the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) The Mishel's Uncertainty Scale has been removed from the study. INCLUSION CRITERIA: a) Diagnosed within the past 4 months with Stage I, II or III breast, prostate, or colorectal (bowel) cancer, or melanoma b) Receiving, or planning to receive treatment c) Partner willing to participate in the study d) Patient or partner scoring 4+ on the Distress Thermometer e) Sufficiently fluent in English and cognitively able to complete surveys.