Psychological distress predicts quality of life in the first months of cancer diagnosis in cancer caregivers.

In cancer caregivers, anxiety and depression may negatively impact quality of life. Information regarding correlations and the predictive capacity of anxiety and depression with regard to the domains of quality of life of caregivers 6 months after a patient's cancer diagnosis is sparse. Sixty-seven caregivers of cancer patients were recruited and completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) 30-45 days (T1) and 180-200 days (T2) after diagnosis. Depression and anxiety (T1) correlated with quality of life in terms of general health, vitality, social functioning, as well as role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health (T2). Depression scores at T1 predicted general health, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems and mental health. Although these results are interesting, it must be noted that the sample size was somewhat limited and that the patients' cancer types may have influenced the results obtained. Psychological distress, particularly depression, correlated with and acted as a predictor for changes in the different domains of quality of life, highlighting the relevance of the evaluation of psychological distress in cancer caregivers shortly after cancer diagnosis. These results underscore the importance of differentiating between the different domains in the evaluation of impairments of quality of life in cancer caregivers.

Social support as predictor of anxiety and depression in cancer caregivers six months after cancer diagnosis: A longitudinal study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To establish the predictive utility of specific social support domains for emotional well-being in cancer caregivers, six months after their partner's cancer diagnosis. BACKGROUND: In cancer caregivers, social support has been consistently related to anxiety and depression. There is little information, however, about the predictive utility of specific social support domains for psychological well-being in the first six months after a partner's cancer diagnosis. DESIGN: Longitudinal research study. METHODS: Sixty-seven caregivers of recently diagnosed cancer patients were recruited from the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba (Spain). Participants completed a set of questionnaires including the Berlin Social Support Scale (BSSS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Data were collected at two time points: T1 (30-45 days after diagnosis) and T2 (180-200 days after). TRIPOD checklist was used. RESULTS: Most of the caregivers were female (65%) and the partner of the patient (58%), with an average age of 51.63 years (SD = 13.25). Statistical differences were observed between the two assessment points for the social support domains of perceived emotional support, satisfaction with support and protective buffering. Logistic regression analysis showed that less physical and sports activity, more support seeking and less informational support received at T1 predicted anxiety at T2, while less perceived available support predicted depression. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate information and support from other members of the community and the promotion of physical and sports routines for cancer caregivers may help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression in the first months after a partner's cancer diagnosis. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Clinicians must pay attention to the social support needs and physical activity of caregivers in the first days after diagnosis, in order to prevent anxiety and depression.

The influence of family social support on quality of life of informal caregivers of cancer patients.

AIM: Caregivers of cancer patients are at high risk of experiencing impairments in terms of anxiety, depression and quality of life. This study examines the mediation capacity that perceived emotional support can have after diagnosis and six months later between depression and anxiety after diagnosis and quality of life in informal caregivers of cancer patients. DESIGN: A sample of 67 informal caregivers of cancer patients was used. This study is longitudinal, ex post facto prospective, with convenience sampling. METHODS: Participants completed the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Berlin Social Support Scale (BSSS) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Data were collected between March 2017 and November 2018. RESULTS: Spearman's correlation analysis showed that anxiety, depression and perceived emotional support were related to quality of life. The mediation analysis showed that the relationship between depression after diagnosis and quality of life six months later was mediated by perceived emotional support.