Work

Association between changes in having of cancer patients in the family and depression: A longitudinal panel study

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cancer diagnosis can cause considerable stress among patients and their families. Both may experience clinical depression and severe anxiety. Therefore, this study investigated the association between the occurrence of cancer patients in the family and the depression among family members. METHODS: Data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2020) were used. A total of 6251 participants who completed the short-form Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10-D) questionnaire were included. General estimating equations were used to assess the temporal effects of changes on depression in the presence of cancer patients in the family. RESULTS: Having cancer patients in the family was associated with a high risk of depression among both men and women (men, Odds Ratio (OR):1.78, 95 % Confidence Intervals (CI) 1.13-2.79; women, OR:1.53, 95 % CI 1.06-2.22). Depressive symptoms were particularly high in women, especially when cancer symptoms were more severe than previous surveys (OR: 2.48, 95 % CI 1.18-5.20). LIMITATIONS: First, non-responders were excluded but this could be affected by underestimation bias. Second, depression was defined as the CESD-10-D score, and the biological risk factors of depression could not be identified because of survey-based database. Third, due to the retrospective design study, confirming the causal relationship clearly is difficult. Finally, residual scheming effects of unmeasured variables could not be eliminated. CONCLUSION: Our findings support efforts to diagnose and manage depression in the families of cancer patients. Accordingly, healthcare services and supportive interventions to reduce the psychological factors of cancer patients' families are needed.

Source: Journal of Affective Disorders

DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.095

Authors: Yun Seo Jang, Na-Young Yoon, Kyungduk Hurh, Eun-Cheol Park, Min Jin Ha

Institutions: Yonsei University, Yonsei University Health System

Language: English

Topic: Family Support in Illness

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,210