Exploring the understanding and management of anxiety from cancer in Latino/a older adults and their caregivers.

PURPOSE: Aging and cancer have profound effects on patient and caregiver anxiety which negatively impacts physical symptoms, treatment engagement and response, and well-being. Despite the high rates of anxiety in Latino/a older adults with cancer (OACs) and their caregivers, large disparities in mental health care access and quality are prevalent in this population. A better understanding of anxiety experiences is needed to inform the development of effective anxiety interventions for this population. METHODS: A qualitative study, containing interviews (n = 7) and focus groups (n = 4) with patients and caregivers (N = 18), was employed to investigate the experience and management of anxiety in Latino/a OACs in order to inform tailored anxiety interventions for this population. Interviews were conducted via videoconference or phone, transcribed, coded, cross-checked, and thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Five themes within the 2 major domains of anxiety experience and anxiety management emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) Navigating the rapid changes associated with diagnosis and treatment for cancer; (2) Living with uncertainty and a loss of control; (3) Perception that anxiety must be incapacitating to benefit from mental health support; (4) Complexity in navigating social support; and (5) Faith as a central coping resource. CONCLUSION: Anxiety is common among Latino/a OACs and their caregivers; however, little is known about this population's experience of anxiety. Findings from the present study revealed distinct anxiety experiences, views toward mental health treatment, and coping preferences. Such findings provide a framework which can be utilized to inform effective dyadic anxiety interventions for Latino/a OACs and their caregivers.