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

Abstract

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.

Direct and Indirect Associations between Family Residential Mobility, Parent Functioning, and Adolescent Behavioral Health

“…In H 2 , we hypothesized that lower levels of caregiver social support would directly and negatively relate to caregiver depression and both internalizing and externalizing problems. While the findings showed that lower levels of caregiver social support were directly associated with caregiver depression and adolescent internalizing problems, caregiver social support was not directly linked to adolescent externalizing problems, which aligns with previous research (Angley et al, 2015 ; García‐Torres et al, 2020 ; Kingston, 2013 ). Previous research highlighted that the alleviation effect of social support on depression is particularly strong for individuals who have experienced major disruptions (Weiss, 1974 ), which provides further support for our findings because our sample came from families exposed to disadvantaged social and economic conditions.…”

“…Caregiver social support is a significant protective factor for promoting caregiver mental health and adolescent psychosocial outcomes after adverse experiences (Casale et al, 2015 ; Miller-Graff et al, 2017 ). Evidence suggests that access to social support networks could alleviate some aspects of caregivers’ depression by offsetting the challenges presented in their lives (Angley et al, 2015 ; García‐Torres et al, 2020 ; Kingston, 2013 ), particularly when they have experienced major disruptions, such as residential change or the death of a spouse (Weiss, 1974 ). Moran et al ( 2019 ) found that the parents living in the disadvantaged circumstance of a refugee center in Ireland relied heavily on local services for emotional and financial support to cope with their living conditions.…”

Technology-based Health Solutions for Cancer Caregivers to Better Shoulder the Impact of COVID-19: A Systematic Review Protocol

“…It is important to note that blanket measures, such as lockdowns, self-isolation, and social distancing, can exert further pressures on cancer caregivers. Research suggests that social support from community members can lower anxiety and depression experienced by cancer caregivers; these supports are signi cantly limited due to social distancing recommendations [21].…”

Caring the Cancer Caregivers in the Era of COVID-19 Outbreak

“…For caregivers of cancer patients social support is an indispensible part of their journey. The impact of availability of social support is directly related with the stress, psychological well-being and ultimately physical health of the caregivers [17]. Some of the major social supports the caregivers need while caring their patients is: transportation, managing daily activities and psychological support by family members and peer groups.…”