title: Describing and understanding depression in spouses of cancer patients in palliative phase.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The cancer patient's relatives and family constitute one of the patient's main sources of support throughout the disease. In recent years, several studies have emphasized the psychological vulnerability of spouses-caregivers with a high proportion suffering from anxiety and depression symptoms. The literature underlines several factors of detrimental outcomes but critical aspects of the spousal relationship as attachment were neglected.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims at (1) describing depressive symptoms and depression among spouses who care for palliative cancer patients and (2) highlighting important factors explaining these symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed 60 spouses 1-6 months before the patient's death, (38 men, mean age: 62 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a high frequency of depression symptoms (25%) in the sample. Higher depression scores were associated to insecure-anxious attachment style, more frequent venting of emotion and disengagement through substance use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite limitations, this description of caregivers' emotional adjustment in the palliative phase is unique. Future support programs could use the present information by focusing on emotional venting and avoidance. It also underlines the benefits for caregivers to develop organizational skills thanks to services that will lessen tasks or care responsibilities.
authors.affiliation: Institut Gustave Roussy, 114 rue E. Vaillant, Villejuif, France.|Université Paris Descartes, LPPS EA 4057, IUPDP, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Léonor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fasse
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Descartes, LPPS EA 4057, IUPDP, Paris, France.|Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Flahault
authors.affiliation: Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brédart
authors.affiliation: Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dolbeault
authors.affiliation: Université de Montréal & CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sultan
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: attachment; cancer; coping; oncology; palliative; spouses