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Factors associated with the decline of psychological support in hospitalized patients with cancer
Author(s) -
Pichler Theresia,
Dinkel Andreas,
MartenMittag Birgitt,
Hermelink Kerstin,
Telzerow Eva,
Ackermann Ulrike,
Belka Claus,
Combs Stephanie E.,
Gratzke Christian,
Gschwend Jürgen,
Harbeck Nadia,
Heinemann Volker,
Herkommer Kathleen,
Kiechle Marion,
Mahner Sven,
Pigorsch Steffi,
Rauch Josefine,
Stief Christian,
Beckmann Jürgen,
Heußner Pia,
Herschbach Peter
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.5191
Subject(s) - feeling , psychosocial , distress , social support , logistic regression , clinical psychology , medicine , cancer , psychology , psychiatry , psychotherapist , social psychology
Objective Many distressed cancer patients do not want or, finally, do not use psychological support. This study aimed at identifying factors associated with the decline of psychological support during hospital stay. Methods This cross‐sectional study included inpatients with different cancer diagnoses. Distress was assessed using the short form of the Questionnaire on Stress in Cancer Patients‐Revised (QSC‐R10) and the Distress Thermometer (DT). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with decline. Results Of 925 patients, 71.6% (n = 662) declined psychological support. Male sex (OR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.69‐3.80), low psychosocial distress (OR = 3.76, CI = 2.50‐5.67), not feeling depressed (OR = 1.93, CI = 1.24‐2.99), perceived overload (OR = 3.37, CI = 2.19‐5.20), no previous psychological treatment (OR = 1.88, CI = 1.25‐2.83), and feeling well informed about psychological support (OR = 1.66, CI = 1.11‐2.46) were associated with decline. Among the patients who indicated clinical distress (46.2%), 53.9% declined psychological support. Male sex (OR = 2.96, CI = 1.71‐5.12), not feeling depressed (OR = 1.87, CI = 1.12‐3.14), perceived overload (OR = 5.37, CI = 3.07‐9.37), agreeableness (OR = 0.70, CI = 0.51‐0.95), and feeling well informed about psychological support (OR = 1.81, CI = 1.07‐3.07) were uniquely associated with decline in this subgroup. Conclusions Decline of psychological support is primarily due to psychological factors. Feeling well informed about support emerged as a relevant factor associated with decline. Thus, design of informational material and education about available psychological services seem crucial.