Relationships: importance for patients with cerebral tumours.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of relationships on psychosocial status in patients with Stage III and IV brain tumours.


METHODS
Thirty-three outpatients at a university medical centre were referred to the study by their treating physician prior to the initiation of aggressive chemotherapy. All subjects underwent a comprehensive psychosocial assessment.


RESULTS
Depressive and anxious complaints were common, but not related to gender. Single/divorced status suggested greater vulnerability to anxiety as 88% of singles and only 48% of patients with partners reported clinical levels of anxiety. Single patients' anxiety was related to inactivity (r = 0.78, p < 0.05) and fears of financial difficulties (r = 0.72, p < 0.05). State and trait anxiety related differently to married patients' complaints. Married patients more frequently reported clinical levels of depressive symptoms (44% partnered vs 28% singles). Depression among married patients was predicted by problems with sex, finances, marital difficulties, and inactivity [R2 = 0.803; F = 20.420, df(4,20), p < 0.0001)]. Problems with relationships were disassociated from problems with sex. Married patients' problematic relationships were predicted by overprotection, inactivity, concerns of bodily deterioration, depression, and anxiety [R2 = 0.775, F = 13.060, df(5, 19) < 0.0001].


CONCLUSIONS
Married neuro-oncology patients may experience depressive symptoms arising from the marriage, but appear to be buffered from anxiety when compared with single/divorced patients. The prevalence of anxiety among single patients suggests modifications of interventions by relationship status.
Kaplan
C P
CP
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical University of South Carolina, USA.
Miner
M E
ME
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012944:Social Support