Opening the Conversation Study

The specific aims of the study are: Aim 1 (Phase I). Systematically adapt an empirically supported couple-based skills training intervention to help young breast and gynecologic cancer (BGC) survivors and their partners jointly manage the reproductive and sexual health consequences of cancer. Aim 2 (Phase II - Quantitative). Evaluate the efficacy of the intervention and hypothesized mediators by conducting a randomized trial. We will evaluate the efficacy of the newly adapted intervention, Opening the Conversation (OC), on survivors' and their partners' reproductive and sexual distress as well as the relationship, sexual, and psychosocial health outcomes. We will determine whether dyadic coping and communication mediate intervention effects on survivors' and partners' reproductive and sexual distress. Aim 3 (Phase II - Qualitative). Evaluate couples' experiences within and across conditions to gain in-depth knowledge of intervention components that influence hypothesized mediators and outcomes.