Cancer patients, their caregivers and coping with loneliness.

Four hundred and twenty-six participants volunteered to participate in this study. A total of 159 men and 281 women comprised the sample. The sample was composed of 99 cancer stricken patients, 97 caregivers, 124 participants from the general population, and 126 people who were related to them in a similar manner that caregivers were related to patients (i.e. spouse, intimate partner, child, family member, etc.). Utilizing the Loneliness Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MPSS), and the Sense of Coherence (SOC) questionnaires, it was found that significant differences among the four groups were found on Reflection and Acceptance, Self-development and Understanding, Social Support Network, Distancing and Denial, and on the Increased Activity subscales. Significant differences were not found on the Religion and Faith subscale. The findings are interpreted in light of the analyses of the other two measures which address the social support that patients and caregivers received and their SOC.