The impact of immigration status and family function on the psychosocial adjustment of cancer patients

The purpose of the study was to explore the impact of two stresses- illness and immigration-on the individual. The study compared the adjustment to illness (using the PAlS questionnaire), as well as family adaptation and cohesion (using the FACES III questionnaire) of 41 immigrant cancer patients in Israel-diagnosed up until 1989 while still residing in the former Soviet Union-with that of 60 non-immigrant cancer patients in Israel diagnosed up until 1989. The study also compared 65 immigrant patients who were diagnosed in 1990-91, after their arrival in Israel, with 80 non-immigrant cancer patients diagnosed in 1990-91. Four-way analysis of variance was used to predict differences in adjustment to illness as measured by the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale. The predictors were 1) membership in groups that differ in immigrant vs. non-immigrant status and time of diagnosis; 2) high vs. medium vs. low levels of adaptability and cohesion; and 3) age group. The immigrants were found to have lower psychological distress associated with their cancer than the non-immigrants. Family cohesion and adaptability and patient's age did not predict differences in adjustment to cancer.