Current Projects

economic burden and well-being in adults with cancer

Many adults with cancer experience high levels of economic burden. The objective of this longitudinal survey study is to identify psychological factors associated with perceiving this burden as stressful. We also aim to examine coping strategies that may account for the impact of economic burden on emotional well-being in preparation for intervention development. This study is supported by the National Institutes of Health-funded EMOT-ECON Network.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adults with Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancer and Family caregivers

Adults with metastatic gastrointestinal cancer experience high levels of fatigue interference with functioning, and their family caregivers often experience stress and reduced well-being. The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to examine the impact of telephone-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on patient fatigue interference and caregiver burden in this population. This trial is supported by R01CA289486 from the National Cancer Institute.

Other examples of ongoing projects include:

• Examining the long-term impact of COVID-19 on health behaviors and economic and social well-being in patients with lung cancer

• Testing a behavioral measure of mindfulness in patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers participating in a mindfulness-based intervention trial

• Conducting a meta-analysis examining relations between perceptions of prognosis and distress in patients with advanced cancer

• Examining mediators and moderators of acceptance and commitment therapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer