Objective

Prostate cancer can have a significant negative impact on patients and their spouses. Problem-solving therapy (PST) has been shown to help reduce distress and improve quality of life among cancer and caregiver populations. This study tested the efficacy of PST for spouses of men with prostate cancer.

Methods

Spouses of men diagnosed with prostate cancer within the past 18 months (N = 164) were randomly assigned to PST (n = 78) or usual psychosocial care (UPC; n = 86). Spouses completed measures of constructive and dysfunctional problem solving, cancer-related distress, mood, physical and mental health, and dyadic adjustment at preintervention and post-intervention and 3-month post-intervention follow-up.

Results

Constructive problem solving increased from pre-intervention to post-intervention among spouses receiving PST but not for spouses receiving UPC; this was maintained at follow-up. There was no decrease in dysfunctional problem solving. Spouses receiving PST versus UPC reported less cancer-related distress post-intervention and at follow-up. There were no significant changes in mood or physical and mental health. Dyadic adjustment was significantly better for spouses receiving PST versus UPC at post-intervention but not at follow-up. Improvements in constructive problem solving mediated better mood and dyadic adjustment post-intervention.

Conclusions

Results support the efficacy of PST for improving spouses' constructive problem solving. There was evidence of both direct and mediated positive effects of PST for both individual and dyadic adjustment. PST may be useful for improving individual and dyadic outcomes for spouses of men with prostate cancer.