86 Background: A diagnosis of advanced cancer frequently thrusts family members into the role of caregiver. Although caregiver burdens have been well documented, less is known about the level of concern borne by the patient (pt) with cancer in placing a family member in this role, known as self-perceived burden (SPB). Methods: As part of the larger “Living with Cancer” project we prospectively surveyed 1307 pts with advanced malignancies receiving treatment with non-curative intent at 17 New Jersey cancer programs within the Regional Cancer Care Associates network between Sept 2015 and Apr 2016. Pts were asked one question about SPB on family members (5-level Likert scale). Results: Pts felt that “Living with Cancer burdens my family” all day every day 68 pts (5%), part of each day 109 pts (8%), most days 136 pts (10%), occasionally 571 pts (44%) or not at all 423 pts (32%). Twenty-four percent of responses were flagged as concerned (rated most days or greater by 313 pts). In a logistic regression model, SPB was correlated with marital status (married and divorced more concerned than single) and younger age (both p < 0.05). Patients living in lower median income neighborhoods also appeared to have a higher frequency of concern (p < 0.1) Factors not correlating with the level of SPB included gender, race, solid vs liquid tumor type, and length of cancer diagnosis. SPB was also not influenced by DNR status, having developed a Living Will, or documentation of power of attorney. Distance from the pt’s home to the cancer center was not associated with SPB on the caregiver. For comparison, on the same LWC project 38% of pts with advanced cancer were concerned about the financial toxicity of their care and 33% were concerned about pain (both p < 0.01 compared to SPB). Conclusions: Self-perceived burden on a caregiver was identified in 24% of pts with advanced cancer, less than those concerned about financial toxicity or pain, in this NJ series. Divorced/married pts and younger pts with cancer are more likely to express concern. Developing an EOLC plan (DNR/Living will/POA) does not appear to influence SPB concerns.

Deterministic attitudes, information about a person's background, one's perceived similarity to a target person, and attributions of effort and ability may affect praiseworthiness. Two vignette studies with college student participants were conducted to consider this issue. Based on regression analyses, attributing achievement to effort was the strongest predictor of praiseworthiness across both studies. In addition, evidence for an augmenting effect of an impoverished background on praiseworthiness was found. In the first study, perceived similarity to the target individual and religious-philosophical determinism were also predictors of praiseworthiness, while belief in free will predicted praiseworthiness in the second study. Judgments of praiseworthiness may be tied to a number of factors; among the most important of these are overcoming an impoverished childhood background and the attributed effort required for success.

As demand for mental health services rise, clinicians and scholars have turned their attention to questions related to access. In particular, scholars have focused on the initial point of contact when prospective clients seek services. Existing literature demonstrates the importance of timely entrance into treatment and the negative consequences of wait-lists for a wide variety of clinical issues. Waiting for services has been found to impact attrition rates and various aspects of client welfare. However, while the mental health community agrees on the importance of getting clients into treatment, there has been little research on how quickly various mental health professionals respond to client inquiries for appointments or the professional-based variables that might impact that response rate. The present study aims to fill this gap in the literature by assessing mental health professionals’ (psychologists, licensed professional counselors/licensed mental health counselors, and licensed clinical social workers) responses to various types of client inquiries. The article reports very low response rates and discusses clinical implications and potential solutions.

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