No abstract

Objective Immigrants, particularly those who are less acculturated and limited English proficient (LEP), often lack access to culturally and linguistically appropriate psychosocial care in cancer survivorship. We sought to determine what psychosocial interventions are available for immigrant and/or LEP cancer patients and to assess treatment and patient factors that may correlate with better psychosocial outcomes for this population. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies published through August 2022 of interventions conducted with immigrant and/or LEP cancer patients aimed at improving psychosocial outcomes (i.e., quality of life, depression, cancer‐related distress, and anxiety). Using Covidence, a software program for systematic review management, four independent raters screened 16,123 records with a systematic process for reconciling disagreement, yielding 48 articles (45 studies) for systematic review and 21 studies for meta‐analysis. Results Most studies were conducted with Spanish‐speaking patients with breast cancer. Study participants (N = 5400) were primarily middle‐aged (mean = 53 years old), female (90.0%), and Hispanic (67.0%). The weighted average effect size (g) across studies was 0.14 (95% CI 0.03–0.26) for quality of life (18 studies), 0.04 (95% CI −0.08 to 0.17) for depression (8 studies), 0.14 (95% CI −0.03 to 0.31) for cancer‐related distress (6 studies), and 0.03 (95% CI −0.11 to 0.16) for anxiety (5 studies). Conclusion The interventions under review had small but beneficial effects on psychosocial outcomes for immigrant and LEP cancer patients. Notably, effect sizes were smaller than those found in previous meta‐analyses of psychosocial interventions conducted in majority U.S.‐born, non‐Hispanic White, English‐speaking cancer patient samples. More research is needed to identify key components and adaptations of interventions that benefit immigrant and LEP cancer patients to strengthen their effects for this growing yet underserved population.

The negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health have been widely reported, but less is known about how the impact of COVID-19 on others in one’s social circle shapes these high distress levels. This study examines associations between social COVID-19 exposure—knowing someone who had a COVID-19 infection—and psychological functioning, as well as whether socio-demographic factors moderate these relationships. In June 2020, respondents (N = 343) from clinics in Tampa, Florida, U.S.A. reported whether they had social COVID-19 exposure, anxiety, depression, and stress, and other COVID-19-related concerns. Social COVID-19 exposure was associated with increased anxiety, stress, and concerns about a family member getting sick, and concerns about drinking and substance use. Several associations between exposure and psychological functioning were stronger in women, younger people, and people with lower income, implying these groups face elevated psychological risks due to the pandemic, and should be prioritized in mental health recovery efforts.