Psychosocial adjustment in head and neck cancer: The impact of disfigurement, gender and social support

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Abstract
Background.: The purpose of this study was to examine the psychosocial impact of disfigurement, gender, and social support after surgical treatment of head and neck cancer.Method.: Eighty‐two ambulatory head and neck cancer patients, 6 months or more after treatment and free of active disease were assessed. Ratings of disfigurement were obtained using a valid and reliable 9‐point scale developed for the study. Standardized measures of social support, depressive symptoms, well‐being, and life happiness were used.Results.: The sample as a whole displayed high levels of life happiness, low levels of depression, and positive feelings of well‐being. Women demonstrated higher levels of depression and lower life happiness; subjects with greater disfigurement were more depressed. Social support seemed to buffer the impact of greater levels of disfigurement on well‐being for women but not for men.Conclusion.: These results suggest that women with head and neck cancer who experience low social support and face disfiguring treatment are at greatest risk for psychosocial dysfunction. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 25: 103–112, 2003