Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients: Perceived Burden and Symptoms During the Early Phases of Cancer Treatment

Abstract

This study investigated levels of symptoms, caregiver burden, and changes over time in 278 family caregivers (FC) of cancer patients. FCs experienced high levels of depressive symptoms and sleep disturbance, low levels of fatigue, and low to moderate levels of caregiver burden, yet these symptoms remained relatively stable over time. Being female and not being employed were factors associated with an increased risk of symptoms and caregiver burden. The understanding evolving from this study can enhance social- and health care professionals' awareness of FCs' challenging situation and the potential impact this has on the FCs' ability to provide care to the patient.

The Effect of Cancer Patients’ and Their Family Caregivers’ Physical and Emotional Symptoms on Caregiver Burden

“…This should not mislead readers to believe that low scores at an early stage does not put patients and FCS at risk for more severe symptoms during the course of the illness over time, as found in other studies [45][46] . We found strong associations between caregiver burden and depression and fatigue in FCs, and sleep disturbance, self-efficacy, memorial symptoms and social support respectively even at this early stage.…”

“…Higher scores in depression and fatigue in FCs, when adjusting for age and gender, were significantly associated with higher caregiver burden, while sleep disturbance, energy fatigue, 44 , marital satisfaction, role problems and distress 45 and care giver self-esteem 46 as predictors of caregiver burden.…”

“…For example, Northouse and colleagues, in their study of couples' adjustment to colon cancer 45 , reported that women reported more distress, role problems and less marital satisfaction regardless of whether they were a patient or spouse. In a study on FCs only, Stenberg et al 46 reported that female caregivers reported significantly higher scores on impact of care giving on health, finances, greater lack of family support and lower caregiver self-esteem than male FCs. In our study, male FCs and patients reported less fatigue and less sleep disturbance that women, variables that were significantly associated with caregiver burden.…”

“…FCs of cancer patients report a number of problems related to their caregiving experiences [3][4][5][6][7] . Several studies have shown that FCs are exposed to considerable burden over long periods of time [8][9][10] .…”

The Role of Patients’ Families in Cancer Treatment Decision-Making: Perspectives among Eastern and Western families

“…12 It should be noted that the impact of a cancer diagnosis on family members is sometimes similar to that of the patient in terms of stress, depression, anxiety, financial constraints and interpersonal problems. 13,14 In Eastern countries, patients are more likely to be guided by their families during the TDM process, which is often associated with high levels of positive emotional engagement, and are therefore less likely to make key medical decisions. 15 Family members in such countries tend to believe that TDM should lie in the hands of the patient's family members and that these individuals should be involved directly in the TDM process, perhaps due to a strong sense of moral responsibility.…”