Factors Associated with Social Support Needs of Spouses of Patients with Cancer: Online Survey

Abstract

Background: A means of assessing the social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer is not available in Japan, yet such individuals are at increased risk of developing psychological difficulties. Objectives: The present study aimed (1) to describe the social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer, and (2) to explore factors associated with social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer. Design: Spouses (n = 559) of patients with cancer were recruited by registered agents of an online survey company and completed a self-reporting, online questionnaire. Measurements: The questionnaires included demographic information and a tool to assess social support needs. Results: Factor analysis of social support needs of the spouses of patients with cancer indicated that (1) "social support needs regarding disease and treatment of patient" (54 items) comprised 3 factors ("medical condition and cure", "daily life and social support", "intimacy and employment"), and (2) "social support needs of spouse (19 items)" comprised 2 factors ("family psychological issues and social support" and "intimacy, employment and society"). The ANOVA and T tests showed that "younger age", "under treatment", and "cancer not cured: treatment stopped", "PS1" and "PS 2-4", the presence of "lung cancer", and "recurrence/metastasis" were significant factors (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: The age of the spouse, treatment status, performance status, site of cancer, and recurrence/metastasis are important factors related to spousal needs for social support. Clinicians should assess these factors and the social support needs of spouses to provide appropriate support.

Characteristics and Social Support Needs Predicting Anticipatory Grief in the Spouses of Patients with Cancer at the End of Life

“…In another study, more caregivers were depressed and had a higher level of perceived burden at the start of the terminal period compared to the start of the palliative care period [36]. In our original tool to assess social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer [13], the subscale items of "family psychological issues and social support" from "social support needs of the spouses" included: self-coping and information to deal with spouse's anxiety and depression; relationship and communication with people around the spouse; feeling burdened and isolated; support for spousal psychological issues from medical staff; advice regarding the patient's disease and medical treatment life; taking care of house chores; performing spousal responsibilities in the house; enjoying hobbies, recreations, and social activities;…”

“…Cancer (73 Items) In our preliminary survey, the tool to examine social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer was a 73-item self-rating scale [13]. This original assessment tool was based on the SPC for Japanese patients with cancer [14] [15].…”

“…This measure uses a six-point Likert scale ranging from zero (inapplicable) to one (extremely satisfied), two (solved by myself), three (a little), four (quite a lot), or five (very much); we modified these scores based on our preliminary survey's questionnaire [13] to those corresponding to their word meanings because it was easy for participants to answer in clinical settings. We scored each response category as follows: four (very much), three (quite a lot), two (a little), one (solved by myself, extremely satisfied), or zero (inapplicable).…”

“…International Journal of Clinical Medicine Patient and spouse's parents, patient and spouse's grandparents, patient and spouse's siblings, and child-in-law. 13 Retirement because of spouse's own request for patient's disease, mandatory age, and retirement from part time job. 14 Taking a leave of absence from work due to patient's disease and other occupations (e.g., independent business, personal business, and real estate).…”

“…In a preliminary survey [13], we developed an original tool to assess social support needs of Japanese spouses based on the Social Problem Checklist (SPC) for Japanese patients with cancer [14] [15] to provide specific care related to individual spousal needs. In this study, we employed a novel measure to assess social support needs of spouses.…”