Relationships: importance for patients with cerebral tumours

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of relationships on psychosocial status in patients with Stage III and IV brain tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three outpatients at a university medical centre were referred to the study by their treating physician prior to the initiation of aggressive chemotherapy. All subjects underwent a comprehensive psychosocial assessment. RESULTS: Depressive and anxious complaints were common, but not related to gender. Single/divorced status suggested greater vulnerability to anxiety as 88% of singles and only 48% of patients with partners reported clinical levels of anxiety. Single patients' anxiety was related to inactivity (r = 0.78, p < 0.05) and fears of financial difficulties (r = 0.72, p < 0.05). State and trait anxiety related differently to married patients' complaints. Married patients more frequently reported clinical levels of depressive symptoms (44% partnered vs 28% singles). Depression among married patients was predicted by problems with sex, finances, marital difficulties, and inactivity [R2 = 0.803; F = 20.420, df(4,20), p < 0.0001)]. Problems with relationships were disassociated from problems with sex. Married patients' problematic relationships were predicted by overprotection, inactivity, concerns of bodily deterioration, depression, and anxiety [R2 = 0.775, F = 13.060, df(5, 19) < 0.0001]. CONCLUSIONS: Married neuro-oncology patients may experience depressive symptoms arising from the marriage, but appear to be buffered from anxiety when compared with single/divorced patients. The prevalence of anxiety among single patients suggests modifications of interventions by relationship status.