Understanding and Measuring the Functionality of Depression among Prostate Cancer Patients

Abstract

Prostate cancer patients have about four times the incidence of depression of their non-cancer peers. Effects of this depression include reduced social interaction, marital and family discord, and poor treatment compliance. This paper reports on a sequence of studies that gathered data from several samples of prostate cancer patients and tested a model of 'depression-as-adaptive-behaviour' within this patient group. Results show that: (i) loss of previously available social reinforcers, plus onset of aversive experiences associated with prostate cancer, were identifiable antecedents for depression; (ii) the effects of particular 'triggers' for depression upon aspects of patients' lifestyles were able to be identified; and (iii) that the most effective coping strategy for patients was 'acceptance'. A scale to assess these aspects of patients' functioning was developed from these findings and will be presented.