Loneliness, Physical and Psychological Distress in Latina Cancer Survivors & Partners

Purpose: The purpose of this paper will be to describe the associations between loneliness, emotional support, physical health and psychological distress among Latinas with breast cancer and their family support partners.  

Method:  The study uses a randomized clinical trial design testing telephone delivered 8-week counseling and educational intervention with four measurement points.  All interventions and assessments are over the telephone. Participants are in the larger study for 6 months; however these data are selected from the baseline assessment. 

Sample:  Data from 115 Latinas with breast cancer and their family support partners were analyzed for this paper.   The typical Latina with breast cancer was in her late 40's, married, had an education level of high school or less and incomes <$30,000.  Most were Stage 2 and 3, with a chemotherapy or radiation after surgery.  The family support partners were similar for demographic characteristics except slightly younger.   Most family support partners were female first degree relatives, whether or not the Latina was married (21.6% mother, 21.6% spouse/significant other, 19.3% sibling, 13.6% daughter, 11.4% friend, 5.7% other, 1.1% son).

Results:  Following predictions of the stress process model, there were significant associations (p > .05) between loneliness, emotional support, physical health, and psychological distress. Results showed that loneliness exacerbated, and emotional support minimized, the association between physical symptoms and psychological distress.  There were strong significant individual-level effects for loneliness and emotional support on physical health and psychological distress for both the Latina cancer survivor and her family support partner.  There was strong evidence that a partner's loneliness also worsened the psychological distress in the Latina survivors documenting the interdependence of cancer survivors and their family support partners.

Implications:  Findings document the importance of a complete psychosocial history during the cancer experience and the role loneliness plays in health.  Clinicians should expand the exploration of social support to also include loneliness to better decrease negative consequences to the health of the cancer survivor and her family support partner.