There is a known end-of-life related disparity among Latino individuals, and there is a need to develop culturally sensitive interventions to help patients and caregivers cope with advanced cancer. Latino patients and caregivers coping with advanced cancer were asked to list important end-of-life topics to culturally inform a psychosocial intervention adaptation process. A qualitative study was conducted, and semi-structured interviews were performed, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Recordings and transcriptions were reviewed and analyzed using thematic content coding. The semi-structured interview described and demonstrated intervention components and elicited feedback about each. Free listing method was used to assess important topics among Latino advanced cancer patients (n = 14; stage III and IV) and caregivers. Patients and caregivers were given a list of 15 topics and asked which topics they deemed important to integrate into the intervention. Overall, more than half of the participants considered it important to include 13 of the 15 topics related to daily activities (eight subcategories), psychosocial support (three subcategories), discussing diagnosis and support (three subcategories), and financial difficulties (one subcategory). Patient-caregivers reported importance in most end-of-life topics. Future research and intervention development should include topics related to psychosocial support, daily activities, discussing diagnosis and support, and financial difficulties.

Background: Cancer affects the emotional well-being of patients and caregivers, highlighting the need for effective communication strategies. This study explores a community-based communication intervention for Latino caregiver–patient dyads coping with cancer. The acceptability of the intervention, along with its associated facilitators and barriers, are crucial considerations. Methods: Three focus group interviews involved healthcare providers, community partners, patients, and caregivers to discuss the communication needs of this population and the components of a communication intervention while identifying facilitators and barriers to the intervention. Qualitative thematic content analysis was conducted using Nvivo v12, ensuring reliability through independent analysis and consensus building. Results: Participants (89% female, average age of 53) included patients (30%), caregivers (30%), community partners (25%), and healthcare providers (15%), and they discussed the overall acceptability of adapting a communication intervention, where they emphasized benefits for caregivers and patients, primarily through support groups. Communication strategies accepted by participants include psychological support, cancer education, assertive communication skills, and methods for improved interactions with healthcare providers and extended family. Conclusions: Participants’ responses align with the current literature, emphasizing problem-solving, mutual support, and communication strategies and underscoring the role of community partners. The study underlines the necessity for culturally tailored communication interventions for Latino families facing cancer.

Latinos are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced cancer and have specific existential and communication needs. Concepts within Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) interventions and Communications Skills Training (CST) assist patients in attending to these needs. However, Latino-tailored MCP interventions have yet to be adapted for advanced cancer patients and caregivers. A cross-sectional survey was administered to Latino advanced cancer patients and caregivers where participants rated the importance of the goals and concepts of MCP and CST. Fifty-seven (n = 57) Latino advanced cancer patients and fifty-seven (n = 57) caregivers completed the survey. Most participants rated MCP concepts as extremely important, ranging from 73.75% to 95.5%. Additionally, 86.8% favored finding meaning in their life after a cancer diagnosis. Participants (80.7%) also selected the concept of finding and maintaining hope to cope with their cancer diagnosis. Finally, participants found CST concepts and skills acceptable, ranging from 81.6% to 91.2%. Results indicate the acceptability of Meaning-Centered Therapy and Communication Skills Training among Latino advanced cancer patients and caregivers coping with advanced cancer. These results will inform the topics to be discussed in a culturally adapted psychosocial intervention for advanced cancer patients and their informal caregivers.

Latinx advanced cancer patients and caregivers are less likely to have adequate access to culturally congruent psychosocial interventions. Culturally relevant and adapted interventions are more effective within minority groups. We obtained patients’ and caregivers’ initial evaluations of the Caregivers–Patients Support to Latinx coping with advanced-cancer (CASA) protocol. A qualitative study was conducted, and an acceptance questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were conducted to culturally adapt the psychosocial intervention for Latinx coping with cancer. The semi-structured interview described and demonstrated intervention components and elicited feedback about each one. Latinx advanced cancer patients (Stage III and IV) and caregivers (n = 14 each) completed the acceptance survey, and N = 7 each completed semi-structured interviews. A total of 12 of the 14 patients and caregivers (85.7%) reported high acceptance of the goals and purposes of the intervention protocol. They also reported willingness to daily use of the content of the intervention components: Communication Skills, the Willingness of Meaning, Life has Meaning, Freedom of Will, Identity, Creative Sources of Meaning, and Homework. Most of the participants reported high acceptance (n = 9) of integrating family caregivers into therapy and the high acceptance (n = 10) of the length of the 4-session intervention.

Background: Cancer disproportionately affects Hispanic populations, yet the preparedness of Hispanic caregiver–patient dyads facing cancer remains understudied. This study aims to identify essential components of preparedness needs and inform future psychosocial interventions for this demographic. Methods: Secondary analyses were conducted utilizing focus groups to develop a communication intervention for Hispanic patients and caregivers. Transcripts were qualitatively analyzed using NVivo v12 (2020). Results: Analysis revealed symptom management and treatment comprehension as pivotal aspects of preparation. Additionally, preparedness among our sample emerged by addressing the multifaceted dimensions of preparedness, including psychological, emotional, educational, familial, practical, financial, and spiritual aspects. Conclusions: Tailoring interventions encompassing diverse dimensions of preparedness can foster inclusivity and maximize their impact on supportive measures. This underscores the necessity for culturally sensitive approaches when delivering interventions supporting Hispanic individuals navigating the challenges of cancer.

Background: Puerto Rico (PR) is highly vulnerable to hurricanes, which severely impact cancer survivors by causing healthcare disruptions and increasing stress. This study investigates the reliability and factor structure of the Hurricane Hazards Inventory (HHI) and its relationship with psychological distress among cancer survivors and non-cancer controls in PR. Methods: Using secondary data from a longitudinal study following Hurricane Maria (HM), the baseline assessment included sociodemographic data from participants, HHI, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: Among 260 participants, 78.7% were women, with a median age of 58.0 years. EFA reduced the HHI to 17 items grouped into three factors explaining 62.6% of the variance with excellent reliability (Cronbach’s alpha 0.91). The three factors also showed good to excellent reliability (alpha 0.81 to 0.92). The median HHI score was 11.0 (range 4.0–26.5) out of 68. PLS-SEM revealed a direct effect of being a cancer survivor and tertiary hazards on depression and anxiety. Conclusion: The HHI is a valid and reliable tool for assessing mental health impact in cancer survivors after hurricanes. However, the study had limitations, including its small sample size and lack of control for all confounding variables. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to further validate the HHI and examine its generalizability.