Table 5 Reported significant associations with preferred role, perceived role and congruence

Age (N = 16)

Preferred role (n = 13)

- Older prefer more passive role [20, 35, 40, 53, 54]

- Younger prefer a more active role [12, 35, 44, 50]

- Younger prefer more often shared role [18, 35, 54]

- No association found [33, 37, 38]

Perceived role (n = 3)

- Older women perceived a more passive role [37]

- Younger perceived less active [49]

- No association found [44]

Congruence (n = 1)

- No association found [17]

Gender (N = 1)

Congruence (n = 1)

- No association found [17]

Education level (N = 10)

Preferred role (n = 7)

- Higher educated prefer more often active role [12, 20, 26, 42, 54]

- Lower educated patients prefer more often passive role [40, 50]

Perceived role (n = 1)

- No association found [35]

Congruence (n = 2)

- If high school or less; patients preferred less involvement [49]

- No association found [17]

Socioeconomic status (N = 1)

Preferred role (n = 1)

- Higher income prefer more active [22]

Ethnicity (N = 2)

Preferred role (n = 1)

- Black patients (vs. white) prefer more passive [20]

Perceived role (n = 1)

- Latina-Spanish speaking women preferred more involvement [58]

Marital status (N = 3)

Preferred role (n = 3)

- If partner than more often preference for a shared or passive role [36]

- Widowed more like to prefer passive role [35]

- Married, (who had lumpectomy and whose first language was English) prefer more active/shared roles [12]

QoL (N = 2)

Congruence (n = 2)

- No association found [52, 57]

Depression/Anxiety (N = 3)

Preference (n = 1)

- Patients who preferred a passive role were more depressed [46]

Congruence (n = 2)

- Lower depression scores if congruence [57]

- Mismatch not associated with changes in anxiety levels [27]