Correlates of Mental Health in Survivors of Colorectal Cancer: the Influence of Individual, Family, and Community Level Factors - Correlates of Mental Health in Survivors of Colorectal Cancer: the Influence of Individual, Family, and Community Level Factors - Open Access Pub

An often neglected factor in the examination of the mental quality of life of survivors of colorectal cancer is the role of family and community level resources and support. The aim of this study was to develop a deeper understanding of the influence of family and community level resources over and above previously examined mental health variables. A survey-based pilot study was conducted with 101 colorectal cancer survivors. Four multiple linear regression models were developed to examine the associations between demographic, health-related, individual psychosocial, family and community level factors, and specific dimensions of mental quality of life (measured using the mental health subscales of the SF-12). In addition to examining all of the correlates of mental quality of life, the unique role of family and community level factors over and above previously examined factors was examined. Analyses found that family and community level factors, as a whole, explained a significant portion of the variance in role emotional health, mental health, and social functioning over and above demographic, health-related, and individual psychosocial factors. Family cohesion was a significant, unique predictor of role limitations due to mental health, and family and community social support was a significant, unique predictor of role limitations due to mental health and overall mental health. These results suggest the potential importance of considering family and community level resources when conducting research and designing interventions to improve mental quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors. DOI10.14302/issn.2474-9273.jbtm-16-1105 Colorectal cancer survivors have received little attention in the post-treatment mental quality of life research1. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States 2. With an increased utilization of screening tests and treatments, the 5-year survival rate for early, localized stage colorectal cancer is 90%2. Due to the high occurrence and survival rate of this type of cancer, and lack of research regarding this population, the aim of this study was to better understand the factors that influence the mental quality of life in survivors of colorectal cancer in order to identify potential mechanisms through which survivors’ mental well-being may be increased. The few quality of life studies that have been conducted with post-treatment colorectal cancer survivors found that despite a trend for improvement in quality of life over time3, 4, 5 a significant segment of the population experiences considerable