In recent decades a growing number of studies have described cancer as a “we-disease”. Patients with cancer as well as intimate partners experienced psychological distress. Studies displayed that various relational factors (e.g., attachment style, mutuality, etc.) such as diverse close relationship processes (e.g., dyadic coping, communication, shared-decision making, etc.) have an impact on individual (e.g., physical and psychological health, quality of life) and dyadic (e.g., marital quality and satisfaction, sexual and reproductive health, etc.) outcomes. Thus, programs reducing psychological distress and enhancing dyadic processes were developed.

This book addresses the unmet needs of the medical community in dealing with the psychological problems, particularly anxiety and depression, of patients diagnosed with cancer. Providing a scholarly review of the impact of cancer diagnosis on patients’ emotional and psychological status, as well as the evidence that psychological factors impact cancer occurrence and biological behavior, this book explores the therapeutic implications of such converse dynamics. Chapters review financial toxicity, eHealth, palliative care, mindfulness, sleep and cancer, social support and cancer, cultural diversity, pediatric and adolescent oncology, and geriatric oncology. While intended primarily for the professional readership of oncologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and palliative care physicians, a final chapter also provides practical information on available resources for patients. This fully updated and expanded new edition of Psychological Aspects of Cancer: A Guide to Emotional and Psychological Consequences of Cancer, Their Causes, and Their Management provides practitioners with cutting edge knowledge as well as practical information that translates into better care for patients with cancer.

Cancer care today often provides state-of-the-science biomedical treatment, but fails to address the psychological and social (psychosocial) problems associated with the illness. This failure can compromise the effectiveness of health care and thereby adversely affect the health of cancer patients. Psychological and social problems created or exacerbated by cancer-including depression and other emotional problems; lack of information or skills needed to manage the illness; lack of transportation or other resources; and disruptions in work, school, and family life-cause additional suffering, weaken adherence to prescribed treatments, and threaten patients' return to health. Today, it is not possible to deliver high-quality cancer care without using existing approaches, tools, and resources to address patients' psychosocial health needs. All patients with cancer and their families should expect and receive cancer care that ensures the provision of appropriate psychosocial health services. Cancer Care for the Whole Patient recommends actions that oncology providers, health policy makers, educators, health insurers, health planners, researchers and research sponsors, and consumer advocates should undertake to ensure that this standard is met.

With broad appeal across scholars and graduate students in the social and behavioral sciences, Joslyn presents new ideas for expanding relationship modeling methods in a way that unites relationship scholars and extends relational theory.

This distinctive volume expands our understanding of couple resilience by identifying and exploring specific mechanisms unique to intimate relationships that facilitate positive adaptation to life challenges. Committed partnerships represent a unique form of relational alliance that offers an opportunity and challenge to go beyond the self - to develop as individuals and as a relationship. The contributors to this volume represent a range of perspectives that integrate conventional relationship science and innovative empirical and theoretical work on the importance of meaning-making, narrative construction, intersubjectivity, forgiveness, and positive emotion in couple life. The volume also offers a unique anchor point - ‘We-ness’ as it relates to the intersection between shared, personal identity and well-being. Under-examined relational contexts such as resilience among LGBT partners and sexual resilience during illness adds further refinement of thought and application.

At present citizens are more aware of their health and care rights and more literate about their disease. Furthermore the continuous development of technological and bio-medical solutions are alimenting the expectation for longer and better life expectancy, even despite the diagnosis. Patients require to be higher involved in the decision making about their care and are willing to deeply entangle all the possible treatment options, their advantages, and their risks. In other terms, citizens today want to be treated not only as “client” but mainly as partners of the medical action and as co-authors of the success of their healthcare pathway. Due to this socio-psychological change in patients’ attitude, healthcare systems today are claimed to a deep revision of their practices and organizational models in order to become better responsive to patients’ expectation and more sustainable and effective in the management of their services. Patient participation and engagement in healthcare management, indeed, is today acknowledged by policy makers and healthcare experts as a valuable option to orient changes and actions of the healthcare systems. Several empirical studies have demonstrated the positive outcomes of a participatory care approach at the clinical, psychosocial, and economic levels. Patient Engagement, thus, appears today not only an ethical but also a pragmatic imperative for the innovation and the improvement of healthcare system. Moving from these premises, this e-book collect first research experiences, conceptual contribution and review of good practices in the area of Patient Engagement promotion. The e-book also discuss the relevance and the theoretical linkages between the concept of Patient Engagement and that one of Patient Centered Medicine.