Economic and social changes among distressed family caregivers of lung cancer patients

Abstract

Purpose Although costs of lung cancer care have been documented, economic and social changes among lung cancer patients’ family caregivers have yet to be fully examined. In addition, research has not focused on caregivers with greater need for support services. This study examined various economic and social changes among distressed family caregivers of lung cancer patients during the initial months of cancer care in the United States. Methods Lung cancer patients’ primary family caregivers with significant anxiety or depressive symptoms were recruited from three medical centers within 12 weeks of the patient’s new oncology visit. Caregivers (N=83) reported demographic and medical information and caregiving burden at baseline. Seventy-four caregivers reported anxiety and depressive symptoms and economic and social changes three months later. Results Seventy-four percent of distressed caregivers experienced one or more adverse economic or social changes since the patient’s illness. Common changes included caregivers’ disengagement from most social and leisure activities (56%) and, among employed caregivers (n=49), reduced hours of work (45%). In 18% of cases, a family member quit work or made another major lifestyle change due to caregiving. Additionally, 28% of caregivers reported losing the main source of family income, and 18% reported losing most or all of the family savings. Loss of the main source of family income and disengagement from most social and leisure activities predicted greater caregiver distress. Conclusions Findings suggest that distressed caregivers of lung cancer patients experience high rates of adverse economic and social changes that warrant clinical and research attention.

Employment implications of informal cancer caregiving

“…The time demands of cancer caregiving can be substantial [8]. A range of issues have been reported by informal cancer caregivers, including psychosocial and emotional problems, physical health problems, and decreased quality of life [5, 11, 9, 12]. For individuals who are employed, the time spent providing care can impel caregivers to take time off from work, which can lead to lost wages and financial hardship [12-15].…”

The lung cancer patient, the pneumologist and palliative care: a developing alliance

“…The qualitative study by CHAPPLE et al [87] highlighted various barriers for lung cancer patients in obtaining social welfare benefits. MOSHER et al [88] exemplified the impact of lung cancer on caregivers (n=83), of whom 74% experienced at least one negative social or economic alteration within the 3-month observational period. Based on these findings and several other studies [14,61,[89][90][91][92][93][94][95], social implications of lung cancer impose an imminent danger for the vulnerable social environment and well-being of patients and their caregivers.…”

Psychological Distress and Resilience among Partners of Cancer Patients Receiving Outpatient Chemotherapy

“…Psychological distress experienced by partners has a large impact on entire families, not only on the patients and partners themselves. Psychological distress in partners has been shown to increase both the risk of depression in patients [5] [6] [7] [8] and the risk of reduced family income [9].…”

“…When patients are receiving chemotherapy, partners may experience great distress because they feel that is difficult to deal with patients' side effects [20], and participation in social activities decreases [9]. Therefore, the psychological distress experienced by partners of patients who receive chemotherapy needs to be examined carefully.…”