Arsenic induced cancer is a major public health issue in Indo-Gangetic plains of Bihar, India where 22 out of 38 districts report arsenic contamination of groundwater. Its psychological aspect is under studied in contrast to the physiological and social. This baseline correlational survey research explores the relationship and role of proactive coping on depression, anxiety and stress among this population. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed in 77 consenting arsenic induced cancer patients with depression, anxiety and stress scales. Proactive Coping was assessed with proactive coping inventory. Results demonstrated negative association and influence of proactive coping on stress, anxiety and depression. Avoidance coping associated positively with depression and reflective coping predicted for depression and anxiety. The findings advocate for more research attention on psychological aspects of arsenic induced cancer. Timely psychological interventions to build proactive coping are warranted to alleviate depression, anxiety and stress among this population.
The health impact of groundwater arsenic contamination shall remain partially understood while its psychological aspects are not studied. So, this correlational survey research explored mental health as a function of perceived social support in arsenic-induced cancer (AIC), which is highly prevalent in the middle Gangetic plain. Mental health inventory and multidimensional scale of perceived social support were used to assess mental health (MH) and perceived social support (PSS) respectively in 77 AIC patients. Findings show significant impact of PSS on MH in the arsenic-affected regions. PSS from significant others have strong impact on overall MH. Perception of reality was predicted by PSS from family while global PSS predicted two dimensions of MH, i.e. positive self-evaluation and environmental mastery. This baseline study suggests that global PSS and that from family and significant others is important and has a strong impact on MH of this population. These findings would help early identification and/or psychological intervention (from non-government organizations, oncology social workers/researchers, and policy makers) to promote better health and well-being in this arsenic-affected population.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.