Dataset Information

Loneliness predicts suicidal ideation and anxiety symptoms in long-term childhood cancer survivors.

ABSTRACT: Long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk for adverse late effects. However, not all of them are well understood. The present study addressed loneliness, a previously under-researched mental health risk in cancer survivor populations. We assessed the prevalence of loneliness and its impact on psychological symptoms over time.

Method

A registry-based sample of N = 633 adult long-term CCS underwent medical and psychological assessments and took part in a follow-up survey 2.5 years later. Psychological symptoms (somatic, anxiety, depression symptoms, and suicidal ideation) were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire. We calculated linear regression models of symptoms at follow-up to investigate the impact of loneliness over time (controlling for symptoms at baseline and relevant confounders).

Results

Loneliness was reported by 17.70% of CCS. In multivariate linear regression analyses, loneliness was still predictive of more severe anxiety symptoms and suicidal ideation over two years later. Loneliness did not predict somatic and depression symptoms at follow-up (which increased with age).

Conclusions

Loneliness affected a significant number of CCS and was a risk factor for persistent anxiety symptoms and suicidal ideation. The extent to which young cancer patients' re-integration into society is successful could thus have important implications for well-being in adulthood.

SUBMITTER: Ernst M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7753031 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan-Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Loneliness predicts suicidal ideation and anxiety symptoms in long-term childhood cancer survivors.

Ernst Mareike M Brähler Elmar E Wild Philipp S PS Faber Jörg J Merzenich Hiltrud H Beutel Manfred E ME

International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP 20201126 1

Long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk for adverse late effects. However, not all of them are well understood. The present study addressed loneliness, a previously under-researched mental health risk in cancer survivor populations. We assessed the prevalence of loneliness and its impact on psychological symptoms over time.<h4>Method</h4>A registry-based sample of <i>N</i> = 633 adult long-term CCS underwent medical and psychological assessments and took part in a follow-up survey ...[more]

PMID: 33363584

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Project description:BackgroundChildhood adversity predicts adolescent suicidal ideation but there are few studies examining whether the risk of childhood adversity extends to suicidal ideation in midlife. We hypothesized that childhood adversity predicts midlife suicidal ideation and this is partially mediated by adolescent internalizing disorders, externalizing disorders and adult exposure to life events and interpersonal difficulties.MethodAt 45 years, 9377 women and men from the UK 1958 British Birth Cohort Study participated in a clinical survey. Childhood adversity was prospectively assessed at the ages of 7, 11 and 16 years. Suicidal ideation at midlife was assessed by the depressive ideas subscale of the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule. Internalizing and externalizing disorders were measured by the Rutter scales at 16 years. Life events, periods of unemployment, partnership separations and alcohol dependence were measured through adulthood.ResultsIllness in the household, paternal absence, institutional care, parental divorce and retrospective reports of parental physical and sexual abuse predicted suicidal ideation at 45 years. Three or more childhood adversities were associated with suicidal ideation at 45 years [odds ratio (OR) 4.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.67-6.94]. Psychological distress at 16 years partially mediated the associations of physical abuse (OR 3.41, 95% CI 2.29-5.75), sexual abuse (OR 4.99, 95% CI 2.90-11.16) with suicidal ideation. Adult life events partially mediated the association of parental divorce (OR 6.34, 95% CI -7.16 to 36.75) and physical (OR 9.59, 95% CI 4.97-27.88) and sexual abuse (OR 6.59, 95% CI 2.40-38.36) with suicidal ideation at 45 years.ConclusionsAdversity in childhood predicts suicidal ideation in midlife, partially mediated by adolescent internalizing and externalizing disorders, adult life events and interpersonal difficulties. Understanding the pathways from adversity to suicidal ideation can inform suicide prevention and the targeting of preventive interventions.

Project description:ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the relationship between different types of interpersonal relationships and anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation and discusses the impact of different grades among middle school students.MethodsThe Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale, the Chinese version of the Generalized Anxiety Scale, suicidal ideation questions, and interpersonal relations items were used to measure the depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, suicidal ideation, and interpersonal relations of the participants. The variables of anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and interpersonal relations were screened using the Chi-square test and principal component analysis. AMOS17.0 constructs the path of the association between interpersonal relations and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicidal ideation.ResultsThe mother-child relationship had direct impacts of -0.06, -0.07, and -0.06 on anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. On anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation, the direct impacts of the father-child relationship were -0.09, -0.03, and -0.08. Moreover, the direct effects of peer relationships on depressive symptoms were -0.04, whereas the direct impact of teacher-student relationships on anxiety and depressive symptoms were -0.10 and -0.09. Further pathway analysis based on grade level showed that in the junior high school model, the direct effect of the mother-child relationship on anxiety and depressive symptoms was -0.18 and -0.16. The direct impact of the father-child relationship on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation was -0.08 and 0.09. The direct effect of peer relationships on depressive symptoms was -0.08, and the direct impact of the teacher-student relationship on anxiety symptoms was -0.06. In the high school model, the direct effect of the mother-child relationship on suicidal ideation was -0.07, while the direct impact of the father-child relationship on anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation was -0.10, -0.07, and -0.12, respectively. In addition, the direct effects of peer relationships on anxiety and depression were -0.06 and -0.05, and the direct impact of teacher-student relationships on anxiety and depression was -0.10 and -0.11.ConclusionThe father-child relationship affects suicidal ideation and depression the most, followed by the mother-child relationship, the teacher-student interaction, and the peer relationship. The teacher-student relationship influences anxiety symptoms the most, followed by the father-child and mother-child relationships. The association between interpersonal interactions and anxiety, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation varied significantly across grade levels.

Project description:ObjectiveSuicidal ideation is a clinical exigency heightening the risk of suicide at different levels of suicidal behavior. This study sought to explore crucial correlates of this phenomenon with a structural equation modeling approach. Accordingly, the mediating role of depressive symptoms and difficulties in emotion regulation between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation were explored.MethodThe sample consisted of 372 university students (57.3% females, M = 20.75, SD = 2.25) who completed self-report measures examining experiences of childhood trauma, depressive symptoms, difficulties in emotion regulation, and suicidal ideation. Structural equation modeling was employed, and mediation analysis was conducted. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the measurement model of each construct before evaluating the conceptual mediated model.ResultsFindings indicate that depressive symptoms with difficulties in emotion regulation had the strongest association (r = 0.60, P = 0.001), then depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation (r = 0.58, P = 0.001), suicidal ideation with difficulties in emotion regulation (r = 0.45, P = 0.001) then suicidal ideation with childhood trauma (r = 0.39, P = 0.001), difficulties in emotion regulation with childhood trauma (r = 0.36 P = 0.001) and finally depressive symptoms and childhood trauma (r = 0.35, P = 0.001). Regarding indirect paths, difficulties in emotion regulation and depression function together (in a sequential path) to mediate the association between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation ( χ2(68) = 216.86, P < 0.01, CFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.93, RMSE = 0.077, CI [0.066 to 0.089], SRMR = 0.049).ConclusionResults demonstrate that childhood trauma, depressive symptoms, and difficulties in emotion regulation are linked to suicidal ideation, highlighting the necessity of recognizing and addressing suicidal ideation as well as the factors that contribute to suicidal ideation. Emotion regulation interventions can be effective in reducing the negative effects of childhood trauma and lowering the risk of suicide. These interventions can help in reducing depressive symptoms and improve overall mental well-being, leading to a lower risk of suicide.

Dataset Information

Loneliness predicts suicidal ideation and anxiety symptoms in long-term childhood cancer survivors.

Method

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Loneliness predicts suicidal ideation and anxiety symptoms in long-term childhood cancer survivors.

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