Investigating the Mediatory Role of Hope and Shame in the Relationship between Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life of Patients with Cancer

Abstract

Objective Patients suffering from cancer need to receive care from their family; however, their family caregivers do this without preparation or training, so their involvement in patients’ care results in a caregiving burden that may affect patient’s hope and quality of life (QOL). Methods This study examines the effect of caregiving burden on the QOL of cancer patients (n = 100) with the mediatory role of hope and shame. To achieve this, Persian versions of Zarit Burden Interview, the World Health Organization QOL, Herth Hope Index, and Guilt and Shame Proneness Scale were used. Meanwhile, path regression analysis was implemented to analyze the relationship between caregiving burden and QOL. Results The results implied a relation among caregiver burden, hope, and QOL of patients diagnosed with cancer. It was found that there is a direct and negative relationship between caregiver burden and hope. In addition, there was an indirect and positive relationship between caregiver burden and QOL. Hope and QOL also had a high correlation. Besides, it was shown that there was a negative relationship between the shame experienced by patients and their hope and QOL. Conclusion caregiver burden was proved to be influential and negatively affected the factor for the QOL. Besides, patients’ hope decreases while caregiving burden increases; this will in turn affect patients’ recovery and their physical, mental, and cognitive functions. This study provides a foundation for future research in this critical area for oncology.

The mediation role of hope in the relationship of resilience with depression, anxiety, and stress in caregivers of children and adolescents with cancer

“…Based on Snyder’s hope theory, hopeful people have goal-oriented thoughts, develop strategies to achieve the goals, and are motivated to expend effort to achieve goals 15 . Therefore, hope, as a dynamic motivational experience, may positively affect the family members’ activities 16 and quality of life 17 . Hope also decreased the caregivers’ burden 17 .…”

“…Therefore, hope, as a dynamic motivational experience, may positively affect the family members’ activities 16 and quality of life 17 . Hope also decreased the caregivers’ burden 17 . Hope is negatively correlated with depression 18 .…”

Validación de una Escala de Esperanza Disposicional para población infantil y juvenil chilena

“…En población adulta, se ha identificado que la esperanza se asocia positivamente al ajuste psicológico, la salud física, la satisfacción con la vida, la confianza, la entrega, entre otras 6,7 . Asimismo, se ha estudiado su rol mediador sobre la calidad de vida de personas gravemente enfermas 8,9 , siendo un componente esencial en la rehabilitación y recuperación 8,10 , el acompañamiento en personas con cáncer y otras enfermedades 11 . Por otra parte, ha demostrado tener una asociación negativa con sintomatología depresiva, afecto negativo, angustia, reducción del sufrimiento, entre otras 6,[12][13][14] .…”