Attachment avoidance and anxiety impacting dyadic coping and communication in patients with metastatic sarcoma and their family caregivers.

Authors

null

Courtney Daum

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA

Courtney Daum , Jonathan Singer , Sydnie Schneider , Megan J. Shen , Elizabeth Trice Loggers

Organizations

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Research Funding

Institutional Funding
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Background: In research, how people act in close relationships is described as “attachment styles” which are composed of multiple attachment style dimensions (ASDs). Attachment avoidance is characterized by the need to isolate from the relationship (i.e. withdrawing and increased independence) while attachment anxiety is defined as needing reassurance and higher dependence. These two insecure ASDs are correlated with reduced quality of life for cancer patients (PT) and the family caregivers (CG). In ovarian cancer, PT and CG ASDs were correlated to dyadic coping, however 27% of PTs were disease-free. Attachment insecurity may be exacerbated by active treatment and uncertain prognosis. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between ASDs, and CG and PT reported dyadic coping and illness-specific communication. Methods: Metastatic sarcoma PTs and their CGs were recruited prospectively for a longitudinal, survey study investigating dyadic coping at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center from Feb. 2022 – Dec. 2022. Participation rate for eligible PTs was 42% and 68% for CGs. Results are of participants who identified as intimate partners (individuals and dyads were allowed to participate). Attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety were measured via Relationship Structures Questionnaire. Dyadic coping and communication were measured via Dyadic Coping Inventory and Illness-Specific Relationship Talk (ISRT), respectively. Results: Sixty-nine participants enrolled: 43 PTs and 26 CGs (25 dyads). Participants were primarily non-Hispanic and white (91% PTs; 85% CG) with mean age 64 years (SD= 13.1; range = 26-89). 61% of PTs identified as men; 60% of CGs identified as women. CGs with attachment anxiety were more likely to report worse coping and less ISRT, while PTs with attachment anxiety were more likely to report only worse coping (See Table 1). However, PTs with attachment avoidance were more likely to report both worse coping and ISRT. Conclusions: Advance cancer PTs and their CGs with insecure ASDs report worse coping and communication. Screening for insecure ASDs may identify PTs and CGs who would benefit from supportive care, including psychotherapy. Future research should investigate this in a larger, more heterogenous population at earlier in the rare cancer trajectory and the effect of ASDs on PT, CG, and clinician communication.

Pearson’s Correlation of Attachment Style Dimensions to Coping and Illness-Specific Talk Dyadic Coping Illness-Specific Relationship Talk
CG - Attachment Anxietyr(24) = -0.52, p< 0.05r(24) = -0.45, p< 0.05
PT - Attachment Anxietyr(38) = -0.57, p< 0.005r(38) = -0.25, p = 0.124
CG - Attachment Avoidance r(24) = -0.27, p = .188r(24) = -0.26, p = .206
PT - Attachment Avoidancer(38) = -0.47, p< 0.005r(38) = -0.34, p< 0.05

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2023 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Symptoms and Survivorship

Track

Symptom Science and Palliative Care

Sub Track

Caregivers

Citation

J Clin Oncol 41, 2023 (suppl 16; abstr e24002)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.e24002

Abstract #

e24002

Abstract Disclosures

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