Mental health outcomes in older women with breast cancer: impact of perceived family support and adjustment

OBJECTIVES: (1) To examine the mental health of older women with breast cancer in relation to support provided by, and the adjustment of, significant others including partners, children, and other family members or friends and (2) to document how often physicians address the women's significant others and the helpfulness of doing so. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients aged 55 years or older (n = 222) was conducted. RESULTS: Partners, and in many instances children and other family members or friends, provided support. Support from partners and adjustment of both partners and children independently predicted less depression and anxiety among the study participants. For racial/ethnic minorities, support from, and adjustment of, adult children assumed particular importance. Nonetheless, women reported that their physicians rarely asked their significant others how they were coping (15%) or referred them to a support group (3%), even though both behaviors were rated as extremely helpful. CONCLUSION: For older women with breast cancer, both partners and adult children were important sources of support and their adjustment affected the women's mental health. Support sources and their impact on women's mental health varied among racial/ethnic groups, suggesting the importance of culturally sensitive provision of care by clinicians.