Factors That Influence Health-Promoting Behaviors in Cancer Caregivers

Ross, Alyson; Lee, Lena J.; Wehrlen, Leslie; Cox, Robert; Yang, Li; Pérez, Alejandro; Bevans, Margaret; Ding, Alice; Wallen, Gwenyth R.

doi:10.1188/20.onf.692-702

Cited by 11 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 39 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This could be explained by their working conditions, which can be straining (e.g., a high workload, understaffing, time pressure) [ 85 ]. This explanation is also reflected in recently published research findings among 129 cancer caregivers: 60% were less physically active and almost half reported a poorer diet [ 126 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

The Health Behaviour of German Outpatient Caregivers in Relation to Their Working Conditions: A Qualitative Study

Mojtahedzadeh

Rohwer

Neumann

et al. 2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ongoing demographic change is leading to an increasingly older society and a rising proportion of people in need of care in the German population. Therefore, the professional group of outpatient caregivers is highly relevant. Their work is characterised not only by interacting with patients in a mobile setting but also by working in shifts. Health behaviour under these specific working conditions is crucial for ensuring long-term work ability and performance. Little is known about the health behaviour of German outpatient caregivers and its potential impact on their work. The aims of the study were (1) to examine health behavioural patterns (nutrition, exercise, smoking, regeneration) of outpatient caregivers, (2) to illuminate their personal health-promoting behaviours, and (3) to identify potential work-related factors influencing their health behaviour. Fifteen problem-centred interviews were conducted with outpatient caregivers working in Northern Germany in the period January–April 2020. Interviews were analysed by using qualitative content analysis. Outpatient caregivers reported improvable nutrition and hydration, with simultaneous high coffee consumption, low physical activity, poor regeneration (breaks and sleep quality), and good personal health-promoting behaviour (e.g., back-friendly habits), although the majority were smokers. Barriers to the implementation of health-promoting behaviours were a high perception of stress due to increased workload and time pressure, while aids to better health-promoting behaviour were described as being social support and personal resources. The respondents perceived their working conditions as potentially influencing their health behaviour. On the basis of their descriptions, various practice-relevant strategies were derived. The data explore a potential need for outpatient care services to develop interventions on behavioural and structural levels that can help create healthier working conditions for their employees so these caregivers can adopt better health behaviours.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

The Health Behaviour of German Outpatient Caregivers in Relation to Their Working Conditions: A Qualitative Study

Mojtahedzadeh

Rohwer

Neumann

et al. 2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These findings were consistent with those of other studies that demonstrated that the majority of ICGs of people with major caregiving needs were unable to leave the care recipient alone and had to organize their time according to the daily activities of the recipients. 11 ‐ 13 , 49 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies showed that the majority of caregivers of people with major caregiving needs were unable to leave the care recipient alone and had to organize their time according to the daily activities of the recipients. [12][13][14] Other studies have shown a significant association between caregiving level and inadequate exercise and health promotion practices. [15][16][17] Evidence suggests that self-management and self-efficacy improves people's motivation and confidence in their own ability, knowledge, experience, and satisfaction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to data, caregivers are less likely than non-caregivers to practice health-promoting behaviors. 11 ‐ 13 It is possible that the caregiving role may reduce the amount of time available to engage in preventive health services. Studies showed that the majority of caregivers of people with major caregiving needs were unable to leave the care recipient alone and had to organize their time according to the daily activities of the recipients.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A Qualitative Focus Group Study for the Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes of Informal Caregivers Toward Breast Cancer: Perceptions of Informal Caregivers and Healthcare Professionals in Three European Countries

Tsitsi

Christou

Christodoulou-Fella

et al. 2021

INQUIRY

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Breast cancer (BC) early screening and detection is a main component for the outcome of the treatment and overall survival. Informal caregivers (ICGs) are less likely to initiate early BC screening methods and utilize health services. The purpose of this study was to explore ICGs’ knowledge and perceptions, including educational and training opportunities or barriers, in promoting early detection practices for BC, as well as healthcare professionals’ (HCP) respective perceptions concerning ICGs in order to identify the need of selected health literacy interventions. A qualitative focus group study was implemented in 3 European countries, using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 26 ICGs and 18 HCPs were involved. The themes that emerged from the focus groups interviews included knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs concerning BC; motivational factors and barriers that influence early screening practices and personal involvement. Motivators and barriers concerning BC screening adherence were linked to knowledge, beliefs and perceptions. Health promotion strategies and user-friendly tools should be developed, targeting on the implementation of BC early detection practices among informal caregivers.

show abstract

Changes in rural caregivers' health behaviors while supporting someone with cancer: A qualitative study

Johnston,

Collins,

Vicario

et al. 2024

Cancer Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeCaring for someone with cancer has a significant impact on usual routines, including caregivers' ability to maintain their own health and wellbeing. Caregivers living in rural areas face additional challenges in supporting someone with cancer, and little is known about the impact of caregiving on the health behaviors of rural caregivers. Therefore, this study explored how caring for someone with cancer affected rural caregivers' health behaviors.MethodsThrough semi‐structured interviews, 20 rural caregivers described changes in their health behaviors while caring for someone with cancer and the factors underlying these changes. Specific prompts were provided for diet, physical activity, alcohol, smoking, sleep, social connection and leisure, and accessing health care when needed. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was used to identify changes in health behaviors and the factors underlying these changes. The factors identified were mapped to the socioecological framework, identifying areas for intervention across multiple levels (individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy).ResultsRural caregivers reported both positive and negative changes to their diet, physical activity, alcohol, and smoking. Sleep, social connection and leisure, and accessing health care were negatively impacted since becoming a caregiver.ConclusionsDesigning interventions to address rural caregivers' coping strategies, reduce carer burden and fatigue, improve access to cooking and exercise facilities and social support while away from home, reduce the need to travel for treatment, and increase the financial support available could yield widespread benefits for supporting the health and wellbeing of rural caregivers.

show abstract

Factors That Influence Health-Promoting Behaviors in Cancer Caregivers

Cited by 11 publications

References 39 publications

The Health Behaviour of German Outpatient Caregivers in Relation to Their Working Conditions: A Qualitative Study

The Health Behaviour of German Outpatient Caregivers in Relation to Their Working Conditions: A Qualitative Study

A Qualitative Focus Group Study for the Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes of Informal Caregivers Toward Breast Cancer: Perceptions of Informal Caregivers and Healthcare Professionals in Three European Countries

Changes in rural caregivers' health behaviors while supporting someone with cancer: A qualitative study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About