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Emotional Distress of Oesophageal Cancer Survivors and their “Carers”. Martin Dempster 1 , Noleen McCorry 2 , Emma Brennan 1 , Michael Donnelly 3 , Liam Murray 3 , Brian Johnston 4 1 School of Psychology, Queen’s University Belfast; 2 Marie Curie Cancer Care, Belfast
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Emotional Distress of Oesophageal Cancer Survivors and their “Carers” Martin Dempster1, Noleen McCorry2, Emma Brennan1, Michael Donnelly3, Liam Murray3, Brian Johnston4 1School of Psychology, Queen’s University Belfast; 2Marie Curie Cancer Care, Belfast 3Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast; 4Belfast Health & Social Care Trust Project Funded by Action Cancer Facilitated by the Oesophageal Patients’ Association
What is needed • An approach that is relevant to the psychological needs of people who have received a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer and their carers • A therapeutic intervention that is not resource-intensive
History Survey at 2 points in time Development of intervention Focus groups Publication of findings Interviews Testing of intervention
Leventhal’s Common Sense Model Beliefs about Illness / Condition Coping Strategies Appraisal of Outcome
Research Aim Ways of Coping Reflect / relax Positive focus Diversion Planning Interpersonal support Beliefs Cause Timeline Control Consequences Coherence Illness Perceptions Questionnaire - Revised Cancer Coping Questionnaire Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Fear of Recurrence Scale Levels of: Anxiety and Depression
Survey – Objectives • To determine which beliefs / coping strategies are strongest predictors of anxiety/depression among people diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and their carers • To determine whether incongruence in carer-patient beliefs is related to distress (i.e. is the relationship between patient beliefs and distress moderated by carer beliefs) • To determine whether coping strategies mediate the relationship between beliefs and distress
People who Responded 91% were the spouse or partner of the person they cared for
Summary – Anxiety and Depression • Anxiety • Depression Similar to head/neck cancer but higher than other cancers
Regression Analysis - Summary • Anxiety R2 = 0.57: Medical/demographic variables – 12% Beliefs – 37%; Coping – 7% • Depression R2 = 0.53: Medical/demographic variables – 12% Beliefs – 35%; Coping – 6%
Summary • Interventions at the level of the dyad could be useful • Focus on consequences, control and understanding of oesophageal cancer and encourage positive focus coping strategies
Application • Development of intervention based on these cognitions • Possible techniques: normalising the lack of personal control and emotional distress, avoid catastrophising, psychoeducation to improve understanding, positive self-talk • Planned feasibility study, leading to trial