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Mediators of change in psychosocial interventions for cancer patients: a systematic review

Anne Moyer1, Matthew Goldenberg, Matthew A Hall

  • 1Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA. anne.moyer@sunysb.edu

Behavioral Medicine (Washington, D.C.)
|August 10, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Identifying mediators of psychosocial interventions for cancer patients is crucial. While some evidence supports specific mediating behaviors, overall findings were mixed, necessitating further research into intervention mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Psychosocial Oncology
  • Behavioral Medicine
  • Cancer Survivorship

Background:

  • Efficacy of psychosocial interventions for cancer patients is established.
  • Understanding mediators is the next critical step in this research area.
  • Previous reviews and meta-analyses have focused on intervention efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review studies testing mediating variables in psychosocial oncology interventions.
  • To examine the diversity in theoretical constructs, interventions, outcomes, and mediators studied.
  • To synthesize evidence on the role of mediators in explaining intervention effects.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of 22 projects conducted between 1989 and 2010.
  • Analysis of studies that tested mediating variables in psychosocial interventions for cancer patients.
  • Assessment of the theoretical grounding and methodological diversity of included studies.

Main Results:

  • Evidence supporting specific mediating relationships was found, particularly for behavioral mediators targeted by interventions.
  • Findings regarding mediating variables were mixed across the reviewed studies.
  • Significant variation existed in the theoretical rigor and scope of the investigated mediating relationships.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying psychosocial interventions in cancer care.
  • Expanding the focus to include mediating mechanisms is essential for a comprehensive understanding.
  • A unified picture of mediating relationships is necessary for advancing psychosocial oncology.

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