Social support, affectivity, and the quality of life of patients and their support-givers prior to stem cell transplantation.

PURPOSE: To determine differences and interdependencies between patients and their support-givers prior to PBSCT.

METHOD: Patients and their principal support-givers completed the Illness- Specific Social Support Scale (ISSS), the Profile of Mood States, and the EORTC QLQ-C30.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-five of 200 eligible patients replied. They nominated spouse/partner (70.6%), friends, and children as principal support source. Patients receiving social support from spouses reported a better HRQoL than patients who nominated other persons as the principal source of social support. Patients perceived more positive (p < .01) and more problematic (p < .05) social interactions than support-givers. The support-givers nominated: children (25.8%), spouse/partner, and siblings. Analysis showed an additional effect of gender and support-giving role (female patients scored worst in overall QoL, male support- givers best).

CONCLUSION

Psychotherapeutic interventions should not only address the patients' problems but also the support-givers' questions, needs, and psychosocial burdens.