Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription or Fee Access

Burden and Coping Strategies Among Caregivers of Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care at Home

Jisa George T, S. John

Abstract


Background of the study: The burden of cancer is increasing worldwide. Family caregivers play a central role in managing all aspects of the patient’s care. Family members who take care of cancer patients experience high level of stress and various psychological problems. Aim of the study: To assess the burden and coping strategies adopted by caregivers of cancer patients receiving palliative care at home in a selected community, Idukki district, Kerala. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among sixty caregivers of cancer patients using nonprobability convenient sampling technique. Sociodemographic Performa was used to collect demographic characteristics of caregivers of cancer patients. Structured rating scale was used to assess the burden and coping strategies adopted by caregivers of cancer patients. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Results showed that fifty percentage of caregivers 31(51.70%) experienced moderate burden and 29 (48.30%) experienced severe burden. The mean score of overall burden was 88.8 ± 9.913, (67.20%). Highest caregiver burden was reported in ‘physical’ domain (18.9 ± 3.502, 78.90%), and least in ‘spiritual’ domain (13.6 ± 2.302, 56.50%). Majority of the caregivers 49 (82.00%) adopted average coping, and 11 (18.00%) adopted good coping. Mean score of overall coping was 51.4 ± 6.482, (61.20%). Caregivers used ‘confrontive’ coping (9.7 ± 1.430, 80.80%) more frequently, and ‘escape avoidance’ (5.2 ± 1.312, 43.30%) less commonly in order to overcome caregiver burden. No statistically significant correlation was found between burden and coping strategies among caregivers of cancer patients receiving palliative care at home. Conclusion: Study concluded that burden of cancer affect not only patient but also their caregivers. Caregivers are experiencing significant burden associated with care giving. Caregivers need to adopt constructive and positive coping strategies to overcome the burden.

Full Text:

PDF

References


J.S. Temel, J.A. Greer, A. Muzikansky, E.R. Gallagher, S. Admane, V.A. Jackson, et al. Early palliative care for patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer, N Engl J Med. 2010; 363(8): 733–41p.

Care Foundation. Cancer Facts. Cancer in Kerala. Available from http://carecalicut.org/cancer-facts/cancer-in-kerala.html.

N. Turkoglu, D. Kilic. Effects of care burdens of cancer patients on their quality of life, Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2012; 13(1): 4141p.

A. Jemal, L.X. Clegg, E. Ward, L.A.G. Ries, X. Wu, P.M. Jamison, P.A. Wingo, H.L. Howe, R.N. Anderson, B.K. Edwards. Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975–2001, with a special feature regarding survival, Cancer. 2004; 101(1): 3–27p.

M. Bevans, E.M. Sternberg. Care giving burden, stress, and health effects among family caregivers of adult cancer patients, JAMA. 307(4): 398–402p.

V. Duci, I. Tahsini. Perceived social support and coping styles as moderators for levels of anxiety, depression and quality of life in cancer caregivers: a literature review, Eur Sci J. 2012; 8(11): 162–70p.

S.C. McMillan, B.J. Small, M. Weitzner, R. Schonwetter, M. Title, L. Moody, et al. Impact of coping skills intervention with family caregivers of hospice patients with cancer, Cancer. 2006; 106(1): 214–22p.

WHO. Palliative Care. Available from http://www.who.int/palliativecare.

D. Seamark, K. Ajithakumari, G, Burn. Palliative care in India, J R Soc Med. 2000; 93: 292–5.

B. Park, S.Y. Kim, J.Y. Shin, R.W. Sanson-Fisher, D.W. Shin, J. Cho, J.H. Park. Prevalence and predictors of anxiety and depression among family caregivers of cancer patients: a nationwide survey of patient-family caregiver dyads in Korea, Supp Care Cancer. 2013; 21(10): 2799–807p.

Q.P. Li, Y.W. Mak, A.Y. Loke. Spouses' experience of caregiving for cancer patients: a literature review. 2013; 60(2): 178–87p.

P. Kulkarni, P. Kulkarni, R. Ghooi, M. Bhatwadekar, N. Thatte, V. Anavkar. Stress among care givers: the impact of nursing a relative with cancer, Indian J Palliat Care. 2014; 20(1): 31–9p.

M. Glajchen. Physical well-being of oncology caregivers: an important quality of life domain, Semin Oncol Nurs. 2012; 28(4): 226–35p.

A. Girgis, S.D. Lambert, C. Johnson, A. Waller, D. Currow. Physical, psychosocial, relationship, and economic burden of caring for people with cancer: a review, J Oncol Pract. 2013; 197–200p.

B.J. Daly, S. Douglas, A. Lipson, H. Foley. Needs of older caregivers of patients with advanced cancer, J Am Geriatr Soc. 2009; 57(2): 293–5p.

G. Goldzweig, S. Merims, R. Ganon, T. Peretz, L. Baider. Coping and distress among spouse caregivers to older patients with cancer: an intricate path, J Geriatr Oncol. 2012; 3(4): 376–85p.

G.R. Palos, T.R. Mendoza, K. Liao, K.O. Anderson, A.G. Gonzalez, K. Hahn, et al. Caregiver symptom burden: the risk of caring for an underserved patient with advanced cancer, Cancer. 2011; 117(5): 1070–9p.

B. Park, S.Y. Kim, J.Y. Shin, R.W. Sanson-Fisher, D.W. Shin, J. Cho, J.H. Park. Prevalence and predictors of anxiety and depression among family caregivers of cancer patients: a nationwide survey of patient-family caregiver dyads in Korea, Supp Care Cancer. 2013; 21(10): 2799–807p.

V. Duci, I. Tahsini. Perceived social support and coping styles as moderators for levels of anxiety, depression and quality of life in cancer caregivers: a literature review, Eur Sci J. 2012; 8(11): 162–70p.

B.J. Daly, S. Douglas, A. Lipson, H. Foley. Needs of older caregivers of patients with advanced cancer, J Am Geriatr Soc. 2009; 57(2): 293–5p.

G.R. Palos, T.R. Mendoza, K. Liao, K.O. Anderson, A.G. Gonzalez, K. Hahn, et al. Caregiver symptom burden: the risk of caring for an underserved patient with advanced cancer, Cancer. 2011; 117(5): 1070–9p.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.