Modifiable psychosocial risk factors for depression among cancer survivors in the United States
- 1School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America.
- 2Child Welfare Research Center, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America.
- 3Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, Texas, United States of America.
Abstract
Depression is highly prevalent among cancer survivors and contributes to poorer quality of life, reduced treatment adherence, and increased morbidity. Functional limitations, loneliness, and inadequate social and emotional support are important psychosocial factors associated with self-reported lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder among cancer survivors. Using a cross-sectional study design, this study examined the independent associations of functional limitations, loneliness, and social/emotional support with a self-reported lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder among a large sample of U.S. cancer survivors. Data were drawn from the 2023 and 2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The analytic sample included 70,620 adult cancer survivors (56.3% female) with depression as the outcome variable. Functional limitations, loneliness, and social/emotional support were primary explanatory variables. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related covariates. Overall, 21.8% of cancer survivors reported depression. In the fully adjusted models, loneliness (AOR = 2.72, 95% CI: 2.44–3.03), functional limitations (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.81–2.31), and lack of social/emotional support (AOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.27–1.62) were independently associated with higher odds of depression. Female sex, low income, cost-related forgone medical care, poor self-rated health, obesity, and current/former smoking were also significantly negatively associated with depression, while physical activity was protective. We found that functional limitations, loneliness, and inadequate social support are robust and independent associated factors of depression among cancer survivors. Screening and interventions targeting these psychosocial factors may improve mental health outcomes and enhance overall survivorship care.
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BibTeX
@article{baiden2026modifiable,
title = {{Modifiable psychosocial risk factors for depression among cancer survivors in the United States}},
author = {Philip Baiden and Batholomew Chireh and Judith S Anagbonu},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0359599},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359599},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Modifiable psychosocial risk factors for depression among cancer survivors in the United States
AU - Philip Baiden
AU - Batholomew Chireh
AU - Judith S Anagbonu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0359599
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359599
AB - Depression is highly prevalent among cancer survivors and contributes to poorer quality of life, reduced treatment adherence, and increased morbidity. Functional limitations, loneliness, and inadequate social and emotional support are important psychosocial factors associated with self-reported lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder among cancer survivors. Using a cross-sectional study design, this study examined the independent associations of functional limitations, loneliness, and social/emotional support with a self-reported lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder among a large sample of U.S. cancer survivors. Data were drawn from the 2023 and 2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The analytic sample included 70,620 adult cancer survivors (56.3% female) with depression as the outcome variable. Functional limitations, loneliness, and social/emotional support were primary explanatory variables. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related covariates. Overall, 21.8% of cancer survivors reported depression. In the fully adjusted models, loneliness (AOR = 2.72, 95% CI: 2.44–3.03), functional limitations (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.81–2.31), and lack of social/emotional support (AOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.27–1.62) were independently associated with higher odds of depression. Female sex, low income, cost-related forgone medical care, poor self-rated health, obesity, and current/former smoking were also significantly negatively associated with depression, while physical activity was protective. We found that functional limitations, loneliness, and inadequate social support are robust and independent associated factors of depression among cancer survivors. Screening and interventions targeting these psychosocial factors may improve mental health outcomes and enhance overall survivorship care.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -