Patterns of change in marital relationships among parents of children with cancer

This study examined changes in marital relationships among parents of children with cancer. Data for both parents of 35 children treated for cancer for less than a year to more than five years showed changes in marital relationships across 10 dimensions of the relationship. The findings showed that some aspects of the relationship (for example, communication and trust) tended to be strengthened, whereas others (especially sexuality) were prone to deterioration. Second, changes in the marital relationship were examined in relation to the duration of illness. The data showed a slight decrease in relationship satisfaction within one year of diagnosis, an increase in marital strength in cases of children who had been ill for two or three years, and a deterioration in the marital relationship after more than four years of children's illness.