Predictors of psychological distress among individuals with a strong family history of malignant melanoma.
Despite rapid advancements in molecular genetics research, little is known about the psychological experiences of individuals with a family history of melanoma. The present study aimed to identify factors contributing to psychological distress among affected and unaffected individuals with a strong family history of melanoma. A total of 121 adults who had recently been informed of the identification of a family-specific mutation in the CDKN2A melanoma susceptibility gene, completed a self-report questionnaire assessing cancer-specific and generalized distress, and a variety of potential predictors. Having a personal history of melanoma (OR = 3.37, p = 0.033), perceiving greater family implications of melanoma (OR = 2.52, p < 0.0001), and the tendency to monitor for threatening information (OR = 3.12, p = 0.008) were associated with melanoma-specific distress. Being childless (beta = 2.09, p = 0.007), perceiving sun exposure as an important cause of melanoma (beta = 1.15, p = 0.015), and perceiving greater family implications of melanoma (beta = 1.02, p = 0.002) were associated with greater generalized anxiety, while monitoring moderated the relationship between endorsement of a genetic model of melanoma and generalized anxiety (p = 0.005). As in other common familial cancers, distress was relatively uncommon in this familial melanoma cohort, even after notification of the presence of a family mutation. Participants do not contemplate their melanoma risk in isolation, but evaluate their risk vis-à-vis the experiences of their relatives.
Kasparian
N A
NA
Psychosocial Research Group, Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Australia. n.kasparian@unsw.edu.au
Meiser
B
B
Butow
P N
PN
Simpson
J M
JM
Mann
G J
GJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D019942:Genes, p16; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D013315:Stress, Psychological