Loneliness and Psychological Distress in Women Diagnosed  with Ovarian Cancer: Examining the Role of Self-Perceived Burden, Social Support Seeking, and Social Network Diversity

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to examine the role of self-perceived burden, social support seeking, and social network diversity in loneliness and psychological distress among women with ovarian cancer. A cross-sectional design was employed whereby 130 women diagnosed  with ovarian cancer, recruited through various online sources (e.g., social media), completed the study via Qualtrics. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed self-perceived burden, social support seeking, social network diversity, loneliness, and psychological distress (anxiety, depr essive symptoms). The models examined indicated that there were indirect effects of self-perceived burden and social network diversity on psychological distress via loneliness. Social support seeking was not significant in the models. Loneliness, self-perceived burden, and social network diversity s hould be of clinical concern among those working to support women with ovarian cancer. Future studies on longitudinal patterns or examining other factors associated with loneliness are needed to better understand the mental health of women with ovarian cancer.
Source: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research