THURS-048 - The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Mental Health Outcomes Among Cancer Survivors
Thursday, April 23, 2026
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM PST
Location: Plaza Foyer, Plaza Level
Area of Responsibility: Area IV: Evaluation and Research Keywords: Cancer@@@Health Behavior@@@Health Disparities, Subcompetencies: 4.3 Manage the collection and analysis of evaluation and/or research data using appropriate technology., 4.4 Interpret data. Research or Practice: Research
Assistant Professor University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to identify factors related to adverse mental health outcomes among cancer survivors.
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to list protective factors for mental health among cancer survivors.
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to summarize mental health predictors among cancer survivors.
Brief Abstract Summary: Discover factors impacting mental health outcomes among cancer survivors living in the rural south. The Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) was used to detect symptoms of depression and anxiety, assessing psychological distress. CS were more likely to report psychological distress and be at risk for depression and anxiety if they were physically inactive, used opioids, smoked, were Black, were 60 years of age and above, made less than $50,000 in annual household income, and if they had a high school education or less. Additional associations with psychological distress included CS who were physically inactive or used opioids. CS who used opioids were also more likely to be at risk for depression, whereas those who met the recommended levels of physical activity and those who consumed alcohol recreationally where less likely to be at risk for depression. CS who vaped were also more likely to be at risk for anxiety.
Detailed abstract description: What’s in it for the attendee: Become informed on the most recent research involving mental health outcomes among cancer survivors living in a rural Southern state.
Background: Cancer survivors (CS) may experience mental health challenges; however, it is not fully understood whether social determinants of health (SDoH) and health behaviors are significantly associated with mental health outcomes among CS. Therefore, the study’s purpose was to investigate the relationship between health behaviors and SDoH with depression, anxiety, and psychological distress.
Methods: Information was obtained from 515 CS in the Arkansas Cancer Survivor Study. The Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) was used to detect symptoms of depression and anxiety, assessing psychological distress.
Results: Results indicated a statistically significant relationship between psychological distress and physical inactivity, smoking, opioid use, race, age, income, and education. Depression was significantly associated with alcohol use, physical inactivity, smoking, opioid use, race, age, income, and education. Anxiety was significantly associated with vaping, smoking, race, age, income, and education.
Discussion: CS were more likely to report psychological distress and be at risk for depression and anxiety if they were physically inactive, used opioids, smoked, were Black, were 60 years of age and above, made less than $50,000 in annual household income, and if they had a high school education or less. Additional associations with psychological distress included CS who were physically inactive or used opioids. CS who used opioids were also more likely to be at risk for depression, whereas those who met the recommended levels of physical activity and those who consumed alcohol recreationally where less likely to be at risk for depression. CS who vaped were also more likely to be at risk for anxiety.
