Journal of Psychosocial Oncology最新文献

Introduction: Self-compassion, directing kindness toward oneself during difficult experiences, has been linked to lower anxiety, depression, and stress throughout the cancer trajectory. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically review existing findings, calculate aggregated effect sizes, and examine cancer phase (acute vs. survivorship) as a potential moderator.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 studies (3,626 participants across 13 countries) was conducted, assessing associations between self-compassion and anxiety (14 studies), depression (20), and stress (14) in cancer populations. PsycInfo, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched on June 6, 2025.

Results: Medium-to-large negative associations were found between self-compassion and both anxiety and stress, and a large negative association with depression. Cancer phase moderated the relationship with stress, showing a stronger effect in survivorship than in the acute phase.

Conclusion: Self-compassion appears protective against psychological distress in cancer patients, especially during survivorship. Tailoring self-compassion-based interventions to cancer phase may enhance their effectiveness.

Background: Little is known about the cancer symptom experiences of Indigenous populations, particularly concerning fatigue and hair loss. Hair loss can have many detrimental effects given the significant cultural importance of hair in Indigenous communities. Gaining a better understanding of the unique perspectives of American Indian male cancer survivors as they manage these two distinct symptoms is essential for improving symptom management and quality of life measures in this underserved population. Methods: A multi-pronged study explored the barriers, facilitators, and cultural constructs associated with cancer symptoms. Focus group sessions with American Indian cancer survivors and caregivers in the Southwest gathered data on survivor experiences, with male responses isolated for analysis. The subsequent randomized control trial intervention (N = 231) tested an educational toolkit and "Talking Circles" designed to help survivors and their families better manage cancer symptoms. Results: Study findings report on the unique fatigue and hair loss experiences of American Indian male cancer survivors. Conclusion: The insights gained prove valuable for educational and intervention programs targeting the mangagement of cancer symptoms among Indigenous populations.

Purpose: Studies describing breast cancer care experiences of sexual minority women (SMW) and partners of survivors are lacking. Using a community-engaged approach, we characterized barriers to quality, person-centered care and quality of life outcomes in sexual minority breast cancer survivors.

Methods: Sexual minority breast cancer survivors and partners participated in a brief survey and 60-minute qualitative interview. Data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis using NVivo software.

Findings: Participants were survivors (n = 14), partners (n = 5), and individuals who were both survivors and partners (n = 4). Three themes describe the influence of sexual orientation on the cancer experience; influence of cancer treatment on sexuality, gender experience, and relationships; and advice for other SMW survivors and breast cancer clinicians.

Conclusions: Significant gaps in breast cancer care delivery were identified, warranting clinical education, resources, and interventions to improve SMW breast cancer care.

Purpose: To identify patterns of co-occurring symptoms in a sample of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors; compare symptom burden among latent classes; and examine associations between symptom classes and social wellbeing outcomes.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey of HNC survivors ≥1 year post-diagnosis was conducted in 2020 using a tumor registry at an academic medical center. Primary outcomes were loneliness and activities impairment. Participants reported 19 HNC-specific symptoms using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer HNC module (EORTC HN-43), and general cancer symptoms (sleep, pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue). Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups with different symptom patterns. Multivariable regression models were estimated to examine associations between class membership and social wellbeing outcomes.

Findings: Three hundred forty-seven survivors (mean age 65.5 ± 11.3 years; 3.72 ± 2.3 years post-diagnosis) completed the survey. Participants were predominantly male (72.6%), White (81.6%), and under age 65 years at diagnosis (59.4%). Three symptom classes were identified: (1) complex symptom burden (45%), (2) oral/sensory symptom dominant (38.9%), and (3) limited symptom impact (15.8%). Membership in the complex symptom burden class was associated with increased activity impairment (β = 28.6, SE = 3.7, p<.001) and increased loneliness (β = 1.1, SE = 0.2, p<.001) compared to the oral/sensory class (most similar to overall sample).

Conclusion: Elevated and complex HNC symptom burden is associated with higher levels of general cancer symptoms and risk for loneliness and reduced engagement in daily activities. Tailored survivorship care models addressing symptom profiles of HNC survivors, particularly those with complex symptom burden, are needed to improve quality of life.

Objective: To examine the longitudinal relationship between the use of religious and existential coping strategies on future psychological growth and distress among youth with a history of cancer and matched peers without cancer.

Method: Participants (n = 294; cancer history = 179; no cancer history = 115) were aged 8-17 years at time of study enrollment. Participants completed assessments of religious and existential coping 3 years from baseline assessment, and assessments of psychological stress and growth 5 years from baseline assessment. Regression analyses examined medical, sociodemographic, and religious and existential coping factors associated with assessments of psychological stress and growth. The moderating roles of religious and existential coping on the relationship between group membership (i.e. those with/without cancer history) and psychological distress and growth were explored.

Results: A significant interaction effect was observed for psychological distress which indicated non-cancer comparisons, but not youth with cancer, reported greater psychological distress at year 5 when low levels of existential coping were reported at year 3. Additionally, a significant interaction effect was observed for psychological growth which indicated youth with cancer, but not non-cancer comparisons, reported greater psychological growth at year 5 when high levels of religious coping were reported at year 3.

Conclusion: Results highlight religious coping was associated with greater psychological growth but not distress among youth with cancer, and suggest clinicians should aim to treat patient's spirituality with cultural humility and find ways to incorporate aspects of patient's spirituality into evidence-based behavioral health treatments.

Purpose: African American women experience significant disparities in cancer outcomes, shaped not only by social determinants of health but also by persistent communication barriers within oncology care. This manuscript presents a trauma-informed, culturally grounded intervention - story circles - a narrative-based program designed to improve relational trust and mutual understanding between African American women with cancer and their oncology providers.

Approach: This article outlines the conceptual foundations, implementation strategy, and evaluation framework for story circles in oncology. The model integrates trauma-informed care, narrative medicine, and critical race theory, and is adapted from UNESCO and the Free Southern Theater's Story Circle Process. It is designed to support cross-cultural dialogue in a structured, inclusive setting.

Program description: Oncology social workers facilitate sessions of four to six participants using structured storytelling prompts and reflective dialogue. Participants include African American women with cancer and oncology providers. Each session emphasizes cultural humility, listening without judgment, and honoring lived experience. Story circles promote trust, and provider empathy, relational insight, and communication equity.

Implications: Story circles are a low-cost, scalable strategy that aligns with institutional health equity priorities and national quality standards and can be integrated into ongoing professional development and psychosocial oncology services. Oncology social workers are well-positioned to lead implementation. This model supports cultural responsiveness, strengthens communication, and can inform future quality improvement and policy initiatives.

Background: Refractory anemia is a hallmark of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs), a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders. Approximately 12% of MDS patients are under 50 years old, and nearly 50% exhibit poor response to standard treatments. Psychodynamic psychotherapy has been shown to be particularly effective in treating somatic disorders and medically unexplained symptoms.

Objective: This study reports a clinical case in which group psychotherapy, in combination with standard treatment, led to improvements in hematological parameters and treatment response in a patient with MDS.

Methods: A 48-year-old male patient diagnosed with idiopathic refractory myelodysplasia was undergoing treatment with epoetin (40,000 IU/ml, twice weekly) and vitamin B12 (1 g/day). The patient, experiencing depressive and obsessive symptoms, voluntarily initiated a group psychotherapy, based on the Human Birth Theory, a framework that fosters a clinician's focus on curability and vitality.

Results: The patient experienced gradual improvements in both psychological and medical conditions. Hematological para-meters began to improve after two years of therapy, reaching a stable normal range after four years. Psychological assessments (Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory) showed significant improvement post-treatment. After six years and five months, the patient completed psychotherapy. Four months later, pharmacological treatment was discontinued, with sustained clinical stability.

Conclusion: This case suggests that clinicians' attitude and an idea of curability can be crucial for the patient's psychological response to the treatment. Given the potential negative impact of psychiatric comorbidities on treatment efficacy and disease progression, psychological interventions can be considered as part of an integrated therapeutic approach. Psychotherapy based on the Human Birth Theory may offer specific benefits by fostering a more vital psychological response in the patient, in line with its foundational principles.

Purpose: Compare demographic, care provision, and health-related characteristics of individuals fulfilling multiple illness-related caregiving roles (i.e. multicaregiving) versus singular (cancer only) caregiving and investigate factors associated with caregivers' mental and physical functioning.

Design: Cross-sectional national survey.

Participants: Family caregivers who self-reported illness-related caregiving for cancer survivors only (singular caregivers: n = 465) or for one or more family members with illnesses in addition to the cancer survivors (multicaregivers: n = 109).

Methods: Descriptive, logistic, and linear regression analysis.

Findings: Singular caregivers and multicaregivers were similar on demographic, care provision, and health characteristics. Caregiving group was not associated with caregivers' mental or physical functioning. Several caregiver and care recipient characteristics were associated with mental and physical functioning for singular caregivers; however, only age was associated with multicaregivers' mental functioning.

Conclusions: Uncovering correlates of multicaregiving can help describe who may serve in these roles and how concurrent care responsibilities may influence caregivers' well-being.

Background: To advance oncology treatment for adults, comprehensive understanding of how and why people decide to enroll in, remain in, and withdraw from cancer clinical trials is needed. While quantitative findings provide insights into these benefits and burdens, they provide limited understanding of how adults with cancer appraise their situation and approach decisions to undertake a clinical trial. The goal of this mixed methods analysis was to conceptualize participants' assessment of benefits and burdens related to cancer clinical trial participation.

Materials and methods: This sub-group analysis of 21 participants was part of a larger sequential, explanatory mixed methods study. We used Creamer's integrated approach to linking quantitative and qualitative data to assess convergence, with qualitative data explaining quantitative results. Participants were grouped into four categories based on quantitative benefit/burden scores and thematic analysis of their qualitative data was used to describe these categories.

Results: Across groups participants varied in descriptions of benefits and burdens of cancer clinical trial participation and reasons for participating. Those reporting high benefit/low burden described "seizing the opportunity to participate;" those reporting low benefit/low burden described "taking responsibility" through trial participation; those reporting low benefit/high burden described how they were "willing to endure," and those with high benefit/high burden emphasized "deciding to act."

Conclusions: Participants' qualitative descriptions of benefits and burdens were more nuanced and dynamic than reflected in their quantitative ratings. Thus, current measures may be missing important concepts, such as logistic challenges of trial participation. Our results have implications for consenting procedures and decisional support guidance offered to patients and their caregivers.