The interdependence of depressive symptoms and sleep in dyads affected by cancer

To examine the rates as well as the interdependence of depressive symptoms and sleep problems in patients with cancer and their intimate partner family caregivers.

Patients diagnosed with cancer (69.3 years old, 56.9% male) and their intimate family caregivers (63.8 years old, 30.7% male) were enrolled in the study (n = 188 dyads). Both patients and intimate partner family caregivers completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Descriptive statistics and Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling were used to test the hypotheses.

The rates of depressive symptoms in the clinical range were 39% for patients and 33% in intimate partner family caregivers. A mean of 6.3 (SD = 1.9) and 6.5 (SD = 1.5) hours of sleep was reported by patients with cancer and intimate partner family caregivers. The mean sleep efficiency (76.6% and 81.3%) and sleep quality (8.25 and 7.2) were poor for both partners. After covarying for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, pain, and cancer stage, patients' depressive symptoms were associated with their own shorter sleep duration. Patient depressive symptoms were associated with their own and their partners' f poorer sleep efficiency and poorer sleep quality. Caregivers' depressive symptoms were also associated with their own poorer sleep quality.

The mood of both partners affect on sleep, and potentially health, was underscored by the findings. The development of dyadic interventions is warranted to improve both mood and sleep in both the patient and caregivers in the context of cancer. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).