Three distinct dyadic profiles of sexual and reproductive health distress emerged among young adult breast and gynecologic cancer survivor-partner couples—low-distress (30.4%), moderate-distress (43.0%), and high-distress (26.6%)—with relationship processes including dyadic coping and communication differentiating profiles rather than demographic or cancer characteristics.
Key Findings
Results
Three distinct dyadic profiles of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) distress were identified among young adult breast and gynecologic cancer survivor-partner couples.
Profiles were identified using dyadic Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) in STATA/SE across 79 survivor-partner couples.
The three profiles were: low-distress (30.4% of couples), moderate-distress (43.0% of couples), and high-distress (26.6% of couples).
Both reproductive and sexual distress measures were used as LPA indicators.
The moderate-distress profile was the most common, encompassing nearly half of all couples.
Results
Low-distress couples had significantly higher levels of dyadic coping, constructive communication, and open discussion of SRH concerns compared to other profiles.
Low-distress couples also had the highest rates of sexual activity among the three profiles.
Differences in dyadic coping and communication were statistically significant across profiles as assessed by ANOVA and chi-square tests.
Open discussion of SRH concerns was a distinguishing feature of the low-distress group.
Moderate-distress dyads fell between low- and high-distress extremes on these relational characteristics.
Results
High-distress couples demonstrated poorer dyadic coping and communication and significantly lower sexual activity compared to lower-distress profiles.
High-distress couples comprised 26.6% of the 79 surveyed couples.
Poorer coping and communication were characteristics that distinguished high-distress from low- and moderate-distress dyads.
Lower rates of sexual activity were significantly associated with the high-distress profile.
These differences were examined using ANOVA and chi-square tests following profile identification.
Results
No significant differences in demographic or cancer characteristics were observed across the three dyadic SRH distress profiles.
Comparisons across profiles for demographic variables showed no statistically significant differences.
Cancer characteristics also did not significantly differentiate the three dyadic profiles.
This finding suggests that disease- and sociodemographic-level factors alone do not determine couples' SRH distress burden.
Relationship processes rather than clinical or demographic factors emerged as the key differentiating variables.
Discussion
Dyadic coping and communication were identified as potentially modifiable intervention targets for young adult breast and gynecologic cancer survivor couples experiencing SRH distress.
The study population focused on young adult (YA) breast and gynecologic cancer (BGC) survivors and their partners.
SRH distress in this population has consequences for relational functioning, health outcomes, and quality of life.
The authors note that identifying distinct couples' profiles may facilitate more precise identification of high-need dyads.
Findings were described as underscoring 'the central role of relationship processes, including dyadic coping and communication, and their potential as modifiable intervention targets.'
Background
Young adult breast and gynecologic cancer survivors commonly experience sexual and reproductive health distress after cancer, but the dyadic experience in this population had not been well characterized prior to this study.
The study employed a cross-sectional design with 79 survivor-partner couples.
The study is registered as NCT04806724.
Prior to this work, relational patterns of SRH distress in YA BGC survivor couples were described as not well characterized.
Both survivors and partners were included as the unit of analysis, capturing the dyadic rather than individual experience.
What This Means
This research suggests that young adults who have been treated for breast or gynecologic cancer and their partners fall into three distinct groups based on how much distress they experience around sexual and reproductive health: a low-distress group (about 30% of couples), a moderate-distress group (about 43%), and a high-distress group (about 27%). The study analyzed 79 couples using a statistical technique called Latent Profile Analysis to identify these natural groupings based on both partners' experiences simultaneously.
What most clearly separated these groups was not the type or stage of cancer, nor demographic factors like age or income—instead, it was how couples communicated and coped together. Couples in the low-distress group were more likely to openly discuss sexual and reproductive health concerns, use constructive communication, cope with challenges as a team, and remain sexually active. High-distress couples showed the opposite pattern: poorer communication, less effective coping as a pair, and lower rates of sexual activity. Moderate-distress couples fell in between on all of these measures.
This research suggests that how couples talk to each other and support one another through cancer's effects on sexual and reproductive health may be just as important as the medical aspects of the disease itself. Because communication and coping are behaviors that can be learned and improved, the findings point toward relationship-focused counseling or couples-based interventions as a promising avenue for helping cancer survivors and their partners who are struggling in this area. The work also suggests that screening couples—not just individual patients—could help identify those most in need of targeted support.
Gorman J, Choun S, Lyons K, Acquati C, Harvey S, Salsman J, et al.. (2026). Dyadic Latent Profiles of Sexual and Reproductive Distress in Young Adult Cancer Survivors and Their Partners: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.. Psycho-oncology. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70587