Suffering compounded: the relationship between abuse history and distress in five palliative care domains

Research with breast cancer patients suggests that abuse survivors experience more psychological distress and disorders, particularly depression and anxiety, than patients without abuse histories. However, we do not yet understand the impact of abuse on other palliative care domains for individuals with other cancer types.

This study explores the relationship between past abuse and distress in a group of cancer patients referred for palliative care. This study also explores differences in distress level and likelihood of meeting diagnostic criteria for major depression and generalized anxiety disorder between patients with and without abuse histories.

Data were from 164 new, palliative care outpatients who completed an initial clinician-administered assessment and the James Supportive Care Screening patient self-report.

Multivariate analyses of variance were conducted to explore differences between patients who reported an abuse history and those who did not on the number of items endorsed and associated distress on five palliative care domains. Chi-square tests were conducted to identify differences in diagnosis of depression and anxiety between patients with and without abuse histories.

Twenty-eight percent reported abuse histories. Patients with abuse histories endorsed more physical problems, psychological concerns, and spiritual concerns and greater distress related to psychological and spiritual concerns than patients without abuse histories. Patients with abuse histories more frequently received diagnoses of major depression disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

These differences underscore the impact of abuse on the adjustment of cancer patients referred for palliative care. Assessment of patient abuse history by palliative care teams and referral for psychological treatment may help reduce patient distress.