Older adults are disproportionately affected by cancer as the majority of new cases and deaths due to cancer are experienced by those older than 65. As the older adult population continues to grow in the United States, it is important to consider the effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment on psychosocial well-being among those in this population, particularly considering which sub-groups may be at greatest risk for deleterious psychosocial outcomes. A sample of 384 adults over the age of 65 who had been diagnosed with cancer in the past five years, with a response rate of 77%, participated in this cross sectional study of psychosocial well-being. The Quality of Life-Cancer Survivors (QOL-CS) scale was used along with socio-demographic variables, such as age, education, and income, and cancer-specific related variables including cancer type, treatment type, and stage at diagnosis. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis determining which subgroups were associated with increased psychosocial well-being. Results showed that males reported better psychosocial well-being than females. There was a positive association between education and psychosocial well-being. Having had lung cancer, being diagnosed at a later stage (II, III, or IV), and having been treated with chemotherapy were associated with lower levels of psychosocial well-being. The greatest contributor to psychosocial well-being was physical, or functional, well-being. These results suggest that psychosocial oncologic interventions should be geared towards specific population groups including women and those with lower educational attainment. Further, oncology social workers need to be attuned to physical well-being and help older adults identify resources to address and cope with the myriad physical issues that accompany a cancer diagnosis.
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