Are male cancer patients more affected by losing their jobs than female patients? Gender as a moderator of the relationship between losing the job and well-being in a sample of Romanian cancer patients

Purpose: Research indicates the heightened need of cancer patients to return to work, which would be beneficial for their emotional/mental health and well-being. The major aim of this study was to identify the overall effect of losing the job upon different dimensions of well-being, and possible gender differences related to this influence. Methods: A sample of 800 Romanian cancer patients was screened in 2014 (461 female and 338 male). Results: Our results indicate that losing one's job after being diagnosed with cancer affects male more than female patients on the physical, emotional, and functional dimensions of well-being. Furthermore, male patients perceive a higher level of interference between illness/treatment and paid work than female patients, and perceive themselves less able to work than female cancer patients. Also the fulfillment derived from work perceived by male patients is lower than that of female cancer patients. Conclusion: Counselors and therapists should focus on enlarging the patients' pool of alternative sources of meaning, thus enhancing their well-being and implicitly their clinical recovery.