The quality of life of regional and remote cancer caregivers in Australia

Abstract

Objective: This study compares the well-being of rural caregivers with that of the general population and explores the potential drivers of poorer outcomes.Method: Patient-caregiver dyads (n = 241) residing in regional or remote Queensland, Australia, reported on QoL, chronic illness, caregiver burden, depression, anxiety and stress. Caregiver outcomes were compared with population norms and patient outcomes. Multiple regressions were conducted to identify factors associated with poorer caregiver outcomes.Results: Caregivers reported lower mental health-related QoL (M = 0.436, 95% CI = 0.410-0.462) in comparison with age-matched population norms (M = 0.556, 95% CI = 0.532-0.580). No differences existed between caregiver and population norms for anxiety, stress and depression. Caregiver chronic illness and higher burden were associated with poorer mental and physical QoL, depression, anxiety and stress (η 2 s ranging from 0.03 to 0.30). These associations were slightly stronger for male caregivers when compared with female caregivers (η 2 s ranging from 0.03 to 0.08). Conclusion:It is vital that efforts are made to improve rural caregivers' mental and emotional well-being. Interventions that support caregivers with chronic conditions reduce caregiver burden and take into consideration the unique experience of male caregivers will go some way to addressing this. Future research is needed to identify other drivers of health outcomes in this group.

Support‐seeking by cancer caregivers living in rural Australia

“…Overall, this study indicates there is a need to ensure adequate support is available and accessible to rural cancer caregivers. This need is supported by previous research reporting poorer mental wellbeing among rural cancer caregivers, 16 as well as high unmet needs for supportive care 17 and challenges in accessing local support services 19,36 . Thus, system‐wide changes are needed to address these challenges.…”

“…Currently, cancer caregivers living in regional and remote (i.e. rural) Australia report poorer than average mental wellbeing compared to population norms 16 . They also report high unmet needs for practical support (e.g.…”

“…rural) Australia report poorer than average mental wellbeing compared to population norms. 16 They also report high unmet needs for practical support (e.g. transportation, lodging, finances), their own physical health and psychological…”

Prevalence of mental disorders, psychosocial distress, and perceived need for psychosocial support in cancer patients and their relatives stratified by biopsychosocial factors: rationale, study design, and methods of a prospective multi-center observational cohort study (LUPE study)

“…Although progress has been made in understanding the occurrence of mental comorbidity and psychosocial distress in cancer patients, comparatively little is known about the course of psychological comorbidity and psychosocial distress in the early survivorship phase in patients and their relatives. Relatives and informal caregivers experience high levels of emotional distress such as anxiety, helplessness and hopelessness, depressed mood, and impaired quality of life ( Sklenarova et al, 2015 ; Thana et al, 2021 ; Goodwin et al, 2022 ). Acute, long-term and late physical and psychosocial impairments due to the partner’s cancer, role changes, difficulties in coping with the disease or impaired family interaction processes are stressors for the relatives ( Hagedoorn et al, 2008 ).…”

Patient and carer experiences of living with multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome

“…Prior studies with other cancer carers have reported positive changes 33 and benefits 34 . At the same time, there is literature documenting impaired QOL for carers of people with MM, 6 and poorer mental health‐related QOL for rural cancer carers in Australia relative to population norms 35 . It is important to consider and assess both burden and benefits, and researchers or health professionals should not always assume that carers for people with high needs will always experience this as a burden.…”