A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in Spousal Support for Breast Cancer Patients

Yanping Liu,1 Yanxue Zhai,1,* Limei Gao,1,* Gantang Zhang2 1Nursing Department, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China; 2Oncology Department, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China&ast...

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Main Authors: Liu Y, Zhai Y, Gao L, Zhang G
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/a-bibliometric-analysis-of-research-trends-in-spousal-support-for-brea-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JMDH
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author Liu Y
Zhai Y
Gao L
Zhang G
author_facet Liu Y
Zhai Y
Gao L
Zhang G
author_sort Liu Y
collection DOAJ
description Yanping Liu,1 Yanxue Zhai,1,* Limei Gao,1,* Gantang Zhang2 1Nursing Department, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China; 2Oncology Department, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yanxue Zhai; Limei Gao, Email 1032784239@qq.com; 769511958@qq.comBackground: The annual rise in breast cancer incidence is a significant issue that threatens women’s health and imposes various physical and psychological effects on male spouses, while these spouses often serve as the primary source of social support for patients.Purpose: To conduct a systematic analysis of publications, countries, institutions, journals, disciplines, authors, keywords, and references related to spousal support for breast cancer patients using bibliometric methods.Methods: We searched the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) for publications related to spousal support for breast cancer patients from January 2004 to December 2024. CiteSpace (6.4 R1, 64-bit Advanced Edition) and Microsoft Office Excel 2019 were used for bibliometric analysis and chart generation.Results: Our study analyzed 672 articles in the WOSCC database on spousal support for breast cancer patients over the past two decades. These publications have exhibited a trend of fluctuating growth. Research area primarily focuses on oncology, psychology, and nursing, with findings mainly published in Psycho-Oncology and Supportive Care in Cancer. The United States, Canada, and Australia lead this research domain, with the University of California system, Duke University, and Harvard University being the principal research institutions. Laura S. Porter and Donald H. Baucom are among the most prolific authors. The main keyword clusters include #1 caregiving burden, #2 quality of life, #3 sexual health, #4 qualitative study, #5 dyadic coping, and #6 marital status. The references focus on social psychology, intimate relationships, emotional communication, and coping interventions.Conclusion: This bibliometric study analyzes research on spousal support for breast cancer patients during the last two decades, outlining the publications, countries, institutions, journals, disciplines, and authors that have significantly influenced the field. Emerging trends in research on spousal support for breast cancer patients emphasize valuing the caregiving burden endured by spouses, exploring their support experiences, identifying spousal support barriers, and addressing intimacy challenges. Keywords: breast cancer, spouse support, visual analysis, cite space, review, research hotspots
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series Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
spelling doaj-art-4a29ab87f1fc448c83c349d9ca3ab89f2025-08-20T03:24:01ZengDove Medical PressJournal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare1178-23902025-06-01Volume 18Issue 133733390103791A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in Spousal Support for Breast Cancer PatientsLiu Y0Zhai Y1Gao L2Zhang G3Nursing DepartmentNursing DepartmentNursing DepartmentOncology DepartmentYanping Liu,1 Yanxue Zhai,1,* Limei Gao,1,* Gantang Zhang2 1Nursing Department, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China; 2Oncology Department, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yanxue Zhai; Limei Gao, Email 1032784239@qq.com; 769511958@qq.comBackground: The annual rise in breast cancer incidence is a significant issue that threatens women’s health and imposes various physical and psychological effects on male spouses, while these spouses often serve as the primary source of social support for patients.Purpose: To conduct a systematic analysis of publications, countries, institutions, journals, disciplines, authors, keywords, and references related to spousal support for breast cancer patients using bibliometric methods.Methods: We searched the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) for publications related to spousal support for breast cancer patients from January 2004 to December 2024. CiteSpace (6.4 R1, 64-bit Advanced Edition) and Microsoft Office Excel 2019 were used for bibliometric analysis and chart generation.Results: Our study analyzed 672 articles in the WOSCC database on spousal support for breast cancer patients over the past two decades. These publications have exhibited a trend of fluctuating growth. Research area primarily focuses on oncology, psychology, and nursing, with findings mainly published in Psycho-Oncology and Supportive Care in Cancer. The United States, Canada, and Australia lead this research domain, with the University of California system, Duke University, and Harvard University being the principal research institutions. Laura S. Porter and Donald H. Baucom are among the most prolific authors. The main keyword clusters include #1 caregiving burden, #2 quality of life, #3 sexual health, #4 qualitative study, #5 dyadic coping, and #6 marital status. The references focus on social psychology, intimate relationships, emotional communication, and coping interventions.Conclusion: This bibliometric study analyzes research on spousal support for breast cancer patients during the last two decades, outlining the publications, countries, institutions, journals, disciplines, and authors that have significantly influenced the field. Emerging trends in research on spousal support for breast cancer patients emphasize valuing the caregiving burden endured by spouses, exploring their support experiences, identifying spousal support barriers, and addressing intimacy challenges. Keywords: breast cancer, spouse support, visual analysis, cite space, review, research hotspotshttps://www.dovepress.com/a-bibliometric-analysis-of-research-trends-in-spousal-support-for-brea-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JMDHbreast cancerspouse supportvisual analysiscite spacereview, research hotspots
spellingShingle Liu Y
Zhai Y
Gao L
Zhang G
A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in Spousal Support for Breast Cancer Patients
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
breast cancer
spouse support
visual analysis
cite space
review, research hotspots
title A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in Spousal Support for Breast Cancer Patients
title_full A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in Spousal Support for Breast Cancer Patients
title_fullStr A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in Spousal Support for Breast Cancer Patients
title_full_unstemmed A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in Spousal Support for Breast Cancer Patients
title_short A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in Spousal Support for Breast Cancer Patients
title_sort bibliometric analysis of research trends in spousal support for breast cancer patients
topic breast cancer
spouse support
visual analysis
cite space
review, research hotspots
url https://www.dovepress.com/a-bibliometric-analysis-of-research-trends-in-spousal-support-for-brea-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JMDH
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