Association of Financial Burden With Self-Rated and Mental Health in Older Adults With Cancer.

Financial problems in cancer survivors are associated with distress and reduced quality of life. Most studies have been cross-sectional, and a longitudinal study is needed to guide clinical interventions. We used data from two surveys of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). Participants ( = 307) reported whether they experienced six indicators of financial burden. The Patient Health Questionnaire 4 assessed depressive symptoms and general anxiety. Cross-lagged panel analyses assessed whether financial burden predicted distress and health or vice versa. In the total sample, financial burden at the first survey predicted depressive symptoms ( < .01), general anxiety ( < .01), and self-rated health ( < .01) at the second survey. Depressive symptoms, general anxiety, and self-rated health at the first survey did not predict later financial burden (s > .05). Results suggest financial problems predict later distress and poor health. This study highlights the need to address financial burden in cancer survivors.