The Influence of Major Depressive Disorder on Objective and Subjective Social Support

Background: Previous studies have shown that childhood maltreatment (CM) is closely associated with social support in the general population. However, little is known about the associations of different types of CM with social support in Chinese patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), which was the goal of the current study.Methods: One hundred and sixty-six patients with moderate-to-severe MDD were enrolled. Participants were assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-28 item Short Form, Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the 24-item Hamilton rating scale for depression, and the 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Correlation analysis and Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis were adopted to investigate associations of types of CM with social support.Results: (1) Physical neglect (PN) and emotional neglect (EN) were the most commonly reported types of CM in patients with MDD. (2) EN was the only type of CM significant in the regression models of the SSRS total score, the score of subjective support, and the score of utilization of support.Limitations: The data of CM was collected retrospectively and recall bias may be introduced. Assessment of CM and social support were self-reported and could be influenced by the depression status.Conclusion: In Chinese patients with MDD, PN and EN are the most prevalent types of CM. EN is the only type of CM associated with low social support in regression models, calling for special attention in the assessment and intervention of EN.

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Rates and risks of suicidality in young adults (YAs) with advanced cancer.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.9015 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 9015-9015

Author(s):

Kelly Marie Trevino ◽

Karen Fasciano ◽

Holly Gwen Prigerson

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

Major Depressive Disorder ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Performance Status ◽

Major Depressive ◽

Targeted Interventions

9015 Background: Suicide rates in YA cancer patients are higher than in the general population. Although cancer is associated with a four-fold increase in the likelihood of a suicide attempt, little is known about suicidality in YAs with cancer. This study examined rates and clinical risk factors associated with suicidality in a sample of YAs with advanced cancer. Methods: Structured interviews were conducted between 4/2010 and 9/2011 with 70 YA advanced cancer patients (range 20-40 yrs, M=33.97, SD=5.61) receiving care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Validated measures assessed suicidality (i.e., Yale Evaluation of Suicidality), quality of life, major depressive disorder, grief over cancer-related losses, and social support. Scores on the suicidality measure were dichotomized into positive screen = 1 and negative screen = 0. Chi-square, t-test, and logistic regression analyses evaluated the relationship between suicidality and participant characteristics and psychosocial variables, controlling for confounding variables. Results: Over one-fifth (21.4%) of the sample screened positive for suicidality. Female gender χ2(1, N = 70) = 4.95, p = .026), breast compared with other cancer diagnosis χ2(1, N = 70) = 5.66, p = .017), and better performance status (t(68) = 3.13, p < .01) were associated with lower rates of suicidality. Participants who met criteria for current (OR [95% CI] 8.67 [1.78, 42.22]) or lifetime major depressive disorder (5.38 [1.60, 18.12]) endorsed higher rates of suicidality. Better overall (.97 [.94, .99]), psychological (.93 [.87, .94]), and existential quality of life (.91 [.85, .98]) were associated with reduced suicidality risk. More severe grief was associated with greater risk (1.15 [1.04, 1.28]) whereas greater social support was associated with lower suicidality risk (.85 [.74, .97]). Conclusions: YAs with advanced cancer reported higher rates of suicidality than observed in other age groups. Developmentally targeted interventions that promote physical function, effectively treat depression, improve quality of life and reduce grief, and provide opportunities for social support may reduce rates of and risk for suicidality in this population.

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