Depression, anxiety, & loneliness among cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on depression, anxiety, and loneliness between those with and without a history of cancer.

Design

This prospective observational study used a quantitative approach.

Participants

Adult members of the Kaiser Permanente Research Bank (N = 104,640).

Methods

Participants completed a series of surveys from May to December 2020. The difference in score of depression, anxiety, and loneliness were estimated using linear mixed regression.

Findings

Among cancer survivors, 21% and 19% met the thresholds for increased risk of depression and anxiety. Among cancer survivors, younger age groups and females reported increased depression, anxiety, and loneliness scores.

Conclusions

This study highlights the continued necessity of addressing mental health needs and social support in cancer survivors during and after a public health emergency.

Implications for psychosocial providers

Cancer survivors may need particular resources after cancer treatment to strengthen resilience and improve quality of life.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• cancer survivors
• depression
• anxiety
• loneliness

Ethical approval

This study was reviewed and approved under Institutional Review Board (IRB) # 182281-1 by the Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States IRB, which is the IRB of record for the Kaiser Permanente Research Bank.

Consent form

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Author contributions

Dr. White led the conceptualization of the study, all statistical analyses, and writing of the manuscript. Ms. Goldberg facilitated data acquisition and provided critical revisions to the manuscript, and Drs. Burnett-Hartman and Feigelson assisted in conceptualizing the study, writing sections of the manuscript, and critically revising the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

Access to data used in this study may be obtained by application to the Kaiser Permanente Research Bank at: kp.org/researchbank/researchers.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Kaiser Permanente Research Bank, which includes the Kaiser Permanente Research Program on Genes, Environment, and Health, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation, The Ellison Medical Foundation, and the Kaiser Permanente Community Benefits Program.