title: Support service use and interest in support services among distressed family caregivers of lung cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined support service use and interest in support services among distressed family caregivers of patients recently entering comprehensive cancer care facilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary family caregivers of lung cancer patients (N=83) were recruited from three medical centers within 12 weeks of the patient's new visit to the oncology clinic. All family caregivers were screened for psychological distress, and those reporting significant anxiety or depressive symptoms were eligible for this study. Caregivers completed a baseline assessment of support service use (i.e., use of mental health services and complementary and alternative medicine [CAM]) and interest in support services. Support service use was also assessed 3 months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although all caregivers reported clinically meaningful distress, only 26% used mental health and 39% used CAM services during the 3-month study period. Patients' receipt of chemotherapy was positively associated with caregivers' mental health service use, whereas greater education and receiving assistance with caregiving tasks were associated with CAM use. Forty percent of caregivers who did not use CAM at baseline were interested in CAM. In addition, 29% of caregivers who did not receive mental health services at baseline were interested in professional psychosocial support, and 29% of caregivers who did not receive staff assistance with practical needs at baseline were interested in this service.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that distressed family caregivers of lung cancer patients underuse mental health services and that a sizable minority are interested in professional help with psychosocial and practical needs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. cemosher@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Catherine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Mosher
authors.forename: Victoria L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Champion
authors.forename: Nasser
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.forename: Shadia I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Jalal
authors.forename: Achilles J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fakiris
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Birdas
authors.forename: Ikenna C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Okereke
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kesler
authors.forename: Lawrence H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Einhorn
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Given
authors.forename: Patrick O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Monahan
authors.forename: Jamie S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ostroff
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*