Do coping and social support predict depression and anxiety in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation?

This study examined whether different types of coping and social support predict anxiety and depression in 212 hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Data were collected prior to and 6 months after HSCT. Coping, social support, and gender predicted 26% of the variance in pre-HSCT anxiety and 24% of the variance in pre-HSCT depression. Coping and social support did not explain significant post-HSCT anxiety or depression when controlling for pretransplant anxiety or depression. High use of acceptance/ resignation coping, cognitive avoidance coping, lower tangible support, and lower belonging support were related to increased pre-HSCT anxiety and depression. Approach coping was not related to pre-HSCT anxiety. Patients who use acceptance/resignation coping and report low levels of two types of social support prior to HSCT may require additional intervention before HSCT, as they are at higher risk for depression and anxiety.