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Altersunterschiede in psychosozialen Ressourcen und im Befinden von Krebspatienten am Beginn einer Chemotherapie

Age differences in psychosocial resources and psychological well-being of cancer patients at the start of chemotherapy

  • BEITRAG ZUM THEMENSCHWERPUNKT
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Zusammenfassung

In der Literatur wird oft die Auffassung vertreten, dass Patienten im Seniorenalter über weniger Ressourcen zum Umgang mit Erkrankungen als Jüngere verfügen. Untersucht wurden vier psychosoziale Ressourcen und das psychische Befinden bei 361 neu diagnostizierten Krebspatienten. Ältere Teilnehmer wiesen eine stärkere internale gesundheitsbezogene Kontrollüberzeugung, jedoch auch weniger Hoffnung als Jüngere auf, während es keine Altersunterschiede im Selbstwert und in der erlebten sozialen Unterstützung gab. Zudem berichteten Ältere über weniger negativen und positiven Affekt als Jüngere. Ein kuratives Therapieziel und hohe soziale Unterstützung gingen nur bei Jüngeren (< 60 Jahre) mit einem positiven Befinden einher, während Hoffnung nur bei Älteren mit dem Befinden in Zusammenhang stand. Geschlussfolgert wird, dass ältere Patienten im Mittel ähnlich viele Ressourcen wie jüngere aufweisen, dass aber geringe Hoffnung einen stärkeren Vulnerabilitätsfaktor im Alter bildet.

Summary

It has been suggested that older patients would have fewer resources than younger patients. We assessed psychosocial resources in 361 recently diagnosed cancer patients. Older patients had a stronger internal health-related locus of control but also less hope than younger patients. No age differences were found for self-esteem and perceived social support. In addition, older patients reported lower levels of negative and positive affect. Curative-intended therapy and social support were associated with a more positive affect only in younger patients, whereas hope was only related to older patients’ psychological well-being. It is concluded that older cancer patients have similar levels of psychosocial resources compared to younger patients, but that lack of hope is a vulnerability factor for older patients in particular.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungspsychologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Am Steiger 3, Haus 1, 07743, Jena, Germany

    M. Pinquart,  C. Fröhlich &  R. K. Silbereisen

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  1. M. Pinquart
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  2. C. Fröhlich
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  3. R. K. Silbereisen
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Correspondence to M. Pinquart.

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Die Studie wurde durch die Deutsche Krebshilfe gefördert (Projekt 70-2445-HÖ 3).

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Pinquart, M., Fröhlich, C. & Silbereisen, R.K. Altersunterschiede in psychosozialen Ressourcen und im Befinden von Krebspatienten am Beginn einer Chemotherapie. Z Gerontol Geriatr 39, 344–349 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-006-0406-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-006-0406-2

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