RESUMO
This study examined the relationship between social relationships and social support and survival following a first diagnosis of breast, colorectal, or lung cancer. Findings showed different factors related to survival for those with breast vs lung or colorectal cancer and for those with localized vs non-localized cancers. Results provide important evidence that social relations and social support may operate differently depending on cancer site and extent of disease.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/psicologia , Neoplasias Colorretais/psicologia , Relações Interpessoais , Neoplasias Pulmonares/psicologia , Apoio Social , Adulto , Idoso , Neoplasias da Mama/mortalidade , Neoplasias Colorretais/mortalidade , Feminino , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/mortalidade , Masculino , Casamento , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Estresse Psicológico , Análise de SobrevidaRESUMO
This longitudinal study examined the psychological adaptation of newly diagnosed cancer patients. Findings showed a decline in patient's mental health status over time. Initial psychological status and other psychosocial factors, and not illness-related factors, were predictive of subsequent adaptation. Two psychologically vulnerable patient groups were identified: those who remained distressed over time and those whose mental health status declined over time.
Assuntos
Neoplasias/psicologia , Adaptação Psicológica , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , California , Feminino , Humanos , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias/patologia , Apoio SocialRESUMO
A growing body of research suggests that a cancer diagnosis reverberates throughout the family system. The majority of studies provide evidence of the psychological distress experienced by family members at the time of diagnosis and during terminal and early bereavement stages. Increasingly, however, patients survive a cancer diagnosis. Therefore, their experience and that of family members more closely approximates living with a chronic illness. In this longitudinal study of 143 pairs of patients and significant others it was found that a substantial minority of significant others experienced psychological distress up to one year after the patient's initial diagnosis. The psychologically vulnerable group of significant others included an initially poor functioning group who remained so over time as well as a group whose mental health status declined over time. Personal and social resources were more important factors in declining mental health than illness-related factors.
