Distress, anxiety, depression, and emotional well-being in African-American men with prostate cancer Journal Article


Authors: Nelson, C. J.; Balk, E. M.; Roth, A. J.
Article Title: Distress, anxiety, depression, and emotional well-being in African-American men with prostate cancer
Abstract: Objective: African-American men have an incidence rate of prostate cancer 60% higher than Caucasian men. Over one-quarter of men with prostate cancer experience significant distress, yet psychosocial research has rarely focused on African-American men. This study presents novel data on emotional well-being, distress, anxiety, and depression in African-American men with prostate cancer. Methods: This archival research combined two databases (N=385 and N=367) comprised of 55 African-American men with prostate cancer. Quality of life was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy, distress was measured with the Distress Thermometer, and anxiety and depression were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. African-American and Caucasian men were matched on age, education, and stage of disease, and compared on emotional well-being, distress, anxiety, and depression. Results: The mean age of the 55 African-American was 63 years old. In non-matched comparison, African-American men had elevated levels of distress, anxiety, and depression similar to Caucasian men. African-American men reported high levels of clinically significant distress (>31%) and anxiety (>23%). However, after matching the African-American and Caucasian men, African-American men reported higher mean scores on emotional well-being (p<0.05) and a lower percentage of African-American men displayed clinically significant depressive symptoms (p<0.05) compared with Caucasian men. Conclusions: After matching the sample, African-American men seem to display a sense of resilience, demonstrating greater emotional well-being and a lower incidence of clinically significant depressive symptoms, compared with Caucasian men. This is consistent with cross-cultural research outside of prostate cancer. Continued research is needed to further elucidate the concept of resiliency in African-American men with prostate cancer. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Keywords: adult; controlled study; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; functional assessment; major clinical study; cancer staging; quality of life; cohort studies; oncology; cancer therapy; age; questionnaires; prostate cancer; prostatic neoplasms; adaptation, psychological; depression; prostate; education; distress syndrome; emotion; coping behavior; anxiety; pain measurement; african americans; european continental ancestry group; emotions; matched-pair analysis; african american; socioeconomic factors; psychosocial disorder; caucasian; psychometrics; hospital anxiety and depression scale; distress; african-american; thermometer
Journal Title: Psycho-Oncology
Volume: 19
Issue: 10
ISSN: 1057-9249
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons  
Date Published: 2010-10-01
Start Page: 1052
End Page: 1060
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/pon.1659
PUBMED: 20077499
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 20 April 2011" - "CODEN: POJCE" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Andrew J Roth
    106 Roth
  2. Eliana M Balk
    8 Balk
  3. Christian Nelson
    393 Nelson