Psychosocial Distress Screening in a Community Cancer Center: An Examination of Gender Differences

Date of Award

Summer 6-15-2012

Document Type

Doctoral Research Paper

Degree Name

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Jennifer Cornish

Second Advisor

Jef Kendall

Third Advisor

Fernand Lubuguin

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Cancer, Quantitative research, Assessment, Gender, Distress

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the needs of male and female oncology patients within a community cancer setting to inform the provision of psychosocial services. Data obtained from 835 single-page measures of oncology patient distress were collected and analyzed to examine the relationship between gender and reported level of distress, the source of this distress, and requests for follow-up from psychosocial service providers. Method: Patients in medical and radiation oncology were given a distress screener tool that included a distress thermometer, a problem checklist, and a list of psychosocial service providers with whom the patient could request to speak. Results: Women reported higher levels of distress than men (p=.003). Women were also more likely than men to endorse practical problems as the cause of their distress (p=.003). A marginally significant relationship between gender and requesting the cancer resource navigator was also found (p=. 059) Conclusion: Gender is a salient factor in reported distress among cancer patients. Although no single variable can entirely explain an individual's response to cancer, male and female patients do appear to have distinctive, gender-specific needs. Psychosocial interventions that account for differences related to gender-role may be particularly beneficial. These results also illustrate the utility of consistent screening practices to better understand and meet the psychosocial needs of oncology.

Copyright Date

6-15-2012

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Rights Holder

Kelly Glaze

Provenance

Received from Author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

27 pgs

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