Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association
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In this article the paths among cancer patients' physical and mental health and the reactions and mental health of their family caregivers were examined. Data for these analyses came from a cross-sectional sample of cancer patients who were recruited through ambulatory outpatient chemotherapy units, and their family caregivers. ⋯ Patients' levels of depression were related to those of their caregivers. However, caregivers' optimism proved to be a significant predictor of their mental health and reactions to caregiving.