Cancer caregivers unmet needs and emotional states across cancer treatment phases

Abstract

Study objective To investigate the association between family cancer caregivers’ unmet daily needs and emotional states of depression, anxiety and stress across their care recipient’s treatment phases. Method A cross-sectional study design and self-report questionnaires were used. Family caregivers (N = 237) of cancer patients in ambulatory cancer clinics were recruited from May to December 2017, and completed a sociodemographic and medical questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers-Cancer Scale. Hierarchical linear regression was conducted to examine the influence of each predictor (sociodemographic variables, unmet personal care and role management needs, cancer treatment phase) on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale total score, depression subscale, anxiety subscale, and the stress subscale. Results Family caregivers’ unmet daily activity needs, in particular higher unmet personal care needs, during the intermediate phase (6–9 months), were significantly associated (ps<0.05) with overall distress (b = 4.93) and stress (b = 2.26). In the chronic treatment phase (>9 months), the significant association of unmet personal care needs was with overall distress (b = 5.91), anxiety (b = 1.97) and stress (b = 2.53). After completing treatment, unmet role management needs were only significantly associated with stress (b = -1.59). Caregivers’ higher depression was also associated with greater unmet role management needs, regardless of treatment phases. Conclusions Intermediate and chronic cancer treatment phases were identified as having greatest effect on caregivers’ unmet daily activity needs and emotions. Unmet personal care needs played the major effect on overall negative emotional states in the intermediate treatment phase and stress in the chronic treatment phase. Close attention to caregivers needs in intermediate and chronic treatment phases, would be highly beneficial in alleviating negative emotional disturbances.

The Relationship between the Unmet Needs of Chinese Family Caregivers and the Quality of Life of Childhood Cancer Patients Undergoing Inpatient Treatment: A Mediation Model through Caregiver Depression

“…The prevalence of depression has been shown to be higher among family caregivers when cancer patients are in receipt of treatment [ 13 ]. Yang et al focused on the unmet needs and emotional states of caregivers in the inpatient setting and found that the unmet needs of caregivers had a major effect on the depression of caregivers when the patient was undergoing treatment [ 14 ].…”

“…Although an association between the unmet needs of family caregivers and the QoL of patients may be found, the factors accounting for this association are poorly understood. Sklenarova and colleagues demonstrated that many caregivers suffer anxiety and depression when patients are undergoing treatment [ 13 ]; Yang et al found that unmet needs play a major role in generating negative psychological feelings among family caregivers [ 14 ]; and Heckel identified a positive correlation between the unmet needs of caregivers and their likelihood to suffer depression [ 15 ]. Depression among caregivers is also likely to be associated with the QoL of childhood cancer patients.…”

Challenges and positive impact of rare cancer caregiving: A mixed-methods study of caregivers of patients with Erdheim-Chester disease and other histiocytic neoplasms

“…Indeed, our qualitative findings underscore a lack of information as a salient concern among ECD/HN caregivers. When left unmet, informational needs have the potential to contribute to psychological and physical health consequences over time 33 and thus crucial to recognize and address.…”

“…Indeed, our qualitative findings underscore a lack of information as a salient concern among ECD/HN caregivers. When left unmet, informational needs have the potential to contribute to psychological and physical health consequences over time 33 and thus crucial to recognize and address. The capacity of ECD and HN caregivers to derive positive value from caregiving (benefit finding) and connect with a sense of meaning and purpose (meaningmaking), despite unmet needs, supports the burgeoning literature documenting caregiver resilience and growth, 14,34 and importantly, extends it to rare cancer caregivers.…”

Exploring the emotional concerns of oncology nurses: A qualitative study

“…In oncology wards, where patients spend the last days of their life and experience significant amount of pain and suffering,[ 1 2 ] oncology nurses, as key members of healthcare teams who spend significant amount of time with cancer patients during all stages of their disease,[ 2 ] are the primary caregivers and active companions of these patients and may face many challenges in the process of care delivery. [ 3 ] Oncology nurses are exposed to many emotional problems, such as discomfort, helplessness, guilt, and difficulty managing and coping with negative emotions during care. [ 1 2 ] Providing support to cancer patients and their families requires significant mental and emotional involvement on the part of the caregivers.…”