Older Women with Breast Cancer: Caregiving and the Risk of Depression-An Exploratory Analysis

• Published in: Social work in health care 2005-01, Vol.40 (4), p.41-59
• Main Authors: Parrish, Monique M., Satariano, William A., Freisthler, Bridget, Feinberg, Lynn Friss, Adams, Sara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Cancer; Caregivers; Caregivers - psychology; caregiving; Carers; comorbidity; Depression; Depression - etiology; Depression - psychology; Elderly; Elderly women; Female; Females; Humans; Mental depression; Michigan; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Older people; Older women; Risk Assessment; Risk management; Self-Assessment; Social support; support; USA; Women
• ISSN: 0098-1389; 1541-034X
• DOI: 10.1300/J010v40n04_03

Objectives: The primary objective of this exploratory analysis was to assess the prevalence of caregiving among older (60+) newly diagnosed female breast cancer patients and to examine the risk of depression associated with breast cancer, caregiving, and age, at 3 months and 12 months after diagnosis. Methods: Data from interviews conducted for the case-control study, Health and Functioning in Women with Breast Cancer(HFW), were used for this analysis. Interviews were conducted at 3 months and 12 months post-diagnosis. Participants for this analysis were restricted to those who completed both interviews (cases n = 904; controls n = 966). Risk of depression was assessed using a self-reported depression question from the HFW instrument. Results: The multivariate analysis showed that stage of breast cancer was significantly related to depression among older women with breast cancer while controlling for various socio-demographic factors; however, caregiving did not significantly increase the risk for depression for this population. Discussion: A breast cancer diagnosis for women, regardless of age or caregiving status, presented an increased risk of depression at 3 and 12 months post-diagnosis. These and other findings and their implications for social work practice are discussed.