Dyadic associations between perceived social support and cancer patient and caregiver health: An actor‐partner interdependence modeling approach

Abstract

Objective: Social support may have a positive impact on health outcomes for patients and caregivers, but the extent to which social support and health outcomes are interrelated for both is unknown. We examine the dyadic interrelationships between social support and health among cancer patients and their caregivers. Methods: Lung and colorectal cancer (CRC) patient and caregiver dyadic data were obtained from the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium. Patients and caregivers self-reported sociodemographic, social support, and caregiving characteristics at 5-(n=218 lung; n=222 CRC) or 12-months post-diagnosis (n=198 lung; n=290 CRC). Structural equation modeling was used to examine actor-partner interdependence models (APIM) of lung and CRC dyads at 5- and 12-months post-diagnosis. Results: At 5-months post-diagnosis, no interdependence between patient and caregiver social support was detected for CRC or lung dyads (all p>0.05). At 12-months post-diagnosis, no interdependence was detected for CRC dyads (all p>0.70); lung dyads showed complete interdependence, indicating patient social support is associated with better caregiver self-reported health (β=0.15, p<0.001), and caregiver social support is associated with better patient self-reported health (β=0.18, p<0.001). Conclusion: Social support has positive impact on patient and caregiver perceived health across the cancer trajectory, and these effects may differ by cancer site and time. Future research and translational efforts are needed to identify effective ways to bolster both patient and caregiver social support and to determine critical moments for intervention.

The role of physical, cognitive and social factors in pain interference with activities of daily living among individuals with chronic cancer pain

“…Finally, and contrary to what was expected, no statistically significant associations between social support and pain interference with daily activities were found. Although some studies have shown that social support is an important factor in relation to chronic pain and disability (Matos, Bernardes, & Goubert, ; Kelley, Kent, Litzelman, Mollica, & Rowland, ), others have found, in line with the present study, no significant relationships between these variables (Tan & Wang, ; Uchino, Bowen, Carlisle, & Birmingham, ). One explanation for the inconsistency of these findings could be related to the characteristics of the samples included in the studies, both in terms of the pain problem and the perceived need for social support.…”

Improving Social Support to Increase QoL in Lung Cancer Patients

“… 39 The relationship between lung cancer and smoking, accented by years of anti-tobacco campaigns, has strengthened the belief that lung cancer patients are in some way responsible for their diagnosis and this leads to an internalisation of blame. 18 Johnson et al claimed that stigma may be important in terms of QoL for lung cancer patients and may independently influence social support and physical symptoms. 39 Chambers et al also noted that patients who feel this stigma face shame, fear and rejection, and have more limited social networks, all of which lead to diminished QoL and lower psychological welfare.…”

Latina/o and non-latina/o brain injury and dementia patients’ and caregivers’ health: An actor/partner interdependence model

“…Patients and caregivers shared dimensions of time and adapted their daily routines to accommodate one another's health status (Nimmon). Also, actor and partner effects differed based on specific disease (Kelley et al, 2019). Latina/o caregivers have experienced higher reports of depression and caregiver burden compared to non-Latina/o whites in previous research (Linton & Kim, 2018;Arévalo-Flechas., Acton, Escamilla, Bonner, & Lewis, 2014).…”

“…The interdependence between patients and caregivers has been studied most commonly among those experiencing cancer and heart disease (Buck, Mogle, Riegel, McMillan, & Bakitas , 2015;Ellis et al, 2017;Ivziku, Clari, Piredda, De Marinis, & Matarese, 2019;Kelley, Kent, Litzelman, Mollica, & Rowland, 2019;Kershaw et al, 2015, Lo et al, 2013Nimmon, Bates, Kimel, & Lingard, 2018;Shaffer, Kim, & Carver, 2016;Vellone et al, 2014). Interdependence is defined as "when the emotion, cognition or behavior of one partner in the relationship affects that of the other partner" (Jacobs, Clari, Piredda, De Marinis, & Matarese, 2017, p. 3).…”