SOCIAL SUPPORT ADEQUACY AND DEPRESSION IN OLDER PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC CANCER

Although the highest proportion of cancer patients are over 55 years, the psychosocial aspects of cancer in this age group has received little systematic attention. Many older patients who report psychological distress, especially depressive symptoms, also report a perception of inadequate social support. The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived adequacy of social support and depression in a group of older patients with metastatic cancer. The association of social support network variables (e.g. number in household, etc.) with depression was also evaluated. A second study aim was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a measure of social support adequacy, that had been originally developed with college students, for its usefulness with a cancer population. The measure of perceived adequacy of social support used in this study was found to be a reliable and valid measure with older cancer patients. Total perceived adequacy and each of three subtypes (significant other, family and friends) were significantly associated with lower levels of depression. In a multiple regression procedure, both perceived adequacy and network characteristics were significantly associated with less depression. These findings suggest that older cancer patients who are depressed may be good candidates for psychosocial interventions aimed at improving social support and subsequently quality of life.