Individuals affected by prostate cancer suffered psychosocial burden like anxiety and uncertainty. When individual failed to copy the disease with little social support, pressure will convey to the spouses according to the Systemaic Transactional Model proposed by Professor Bodenmann. This qualitative study took a deep insight into the psychosocial experience of couples coping with prostate cancer to provide evidence for the targeted intervention strategies.

A descriptive phenomenological method through in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews was conducted in a conference room during their outpatient clinic visits. Fourteen couples coping with prostate cancer were enrolled through purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted until data saturation and no new theme was emerged. All interviews were taped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically.

The couple’s psychosocial experience with stress management and relationship adjustment demonstrated the main theme as regain and regrow. Three sub-themes were psychological fluctuation, striving for a living, and couples as an interwind unit. ‘Psychological fluctuation’ emerged with physical deterioration and heavy mental distress. ‘Striving for a living’ stands for self-reconciliation, silent relationship, and mutual coping. ‘Couples as an interwind unit’ emerged from discordance towards sexual life, unavoidable mutual influence, and a paradox of intimacy and control.

The above findings indicated that couples facing prostate cancer negatively impacted normal life after diagnosis. Psychosocial experience of couples coping prostate cancer alone or together differed with diversity. Therefore, a holistic assessment including psychosocial and relationship assessment to improve dyadic outcomes. More specific psychosocial interventions are required for couples coping prostate cancer.