Influence of caregiver personality on the burden of family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ha-Hyun Kim ◽  
Seon-Young Kim ◽  
Jae-Min Kim ◽  
Sung-Wan Kim ◽  
Il-Seon Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Family Caregiver ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

AbstractObjective:To determine the influence of caregiver personality and other factors on the burden of family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients.Method:We investigated a wide range of factors related to the patient–family caregiver dyad in a palliative care setting using a cross-sectional design. Caregiver burden was assessed using the seven-item short version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI–7). Caregiver personality was assessed using the 10-item short version of the Big Five Inventory (BFI–10), which measures the following five personality dimensions: extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. Patient- and caregiver-related sociodemographic and psychological factors were included in the analysis because of their potential association with caregiver burden. Clinical patient data were obtained from medical charts or by using other measures. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to identify the independent factors associated with caregiver burden.Results:We analyzed 227 patient–family caregiver dyads. The multivariate analysis revealed that caregiver extroversion was protective against caregiver burden, whereas depressive symptoms in caregivers were related to increased burden. Neuroticism was positively correlated with caregiver burden, but this relationship was nonsignificant following adjustment for depressive symptoms. Patient-related factors were not significantly associated with caregiver burden.Significance of Results:Evaluating caregiver personality traits could facilitate identification of individuals at greater risk of high burden. Furthermore, depression screening and treatment programs for caregivers in palliative care settings are required to decrease caregiver burden.

Association between the emotional status of family caregivers and length of stay in a palliative care unit: A retrospective study

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1695-1700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seon Hee Kim ◽  
In Cheol Hwang ◽  
Ki Dong Ko ◽  
Young Eun Kwon ◽  
Hong Yup Ahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Palliative Care Unit ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Emotional Status ◽  
Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

ABSTRACTObjective:Several factors associated with referral time to hospice and/or palliative care services have been identified, but there is no literature on the association between these services and the emotional status of the family caregivers (FCs). This article is intended to address that issue.Method:A semistructured interview was employed to collect data for a retrospective cohort study. The primary FCs of terminally ill cancer patients were interviewed at the time of the patient's referral to the palliative care unit. Interview data were combined with patients' medical record data for our analysis. The emotional status of the FCs was categorized into one of three groups according to their responses to the anticipated death of their family member: acceptance, anxious/depressed, and denial/angry. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to examine and identify the factors related to the length of stay (LOS) in the palliative care unit.Results:A total of 198 patient–FC pairs were identified. The median LOS was 18 days. A multivariate analysis with adjustment for potential variables revealed significant differences in LOS according to cancer type and time since cancer diagnosis. The denial/angry FC category was independently associated with a shorter LOS (vs. acceptance, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11–4.03).Significance of Results:We found that terminally ill cancer patients who were referred late had FCs who were in denial or were angry about the anticipated death of their loved one. The emotional status of FCs should be considered when patients with terminal cancer are referred to palliative care.

Caregiver burden and bereavement among family caregivers who lost terminally ill cancer patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 515-522
Author(s):  
Yong Tang
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Truth Telling ◽  
Terminally Ill Cancer Patients ◽  
Attitudes Toward Death

AbstractObjectiveFamily caregivers (FCs) in China provide hospice care to terminally ill cancer patients; however, few studies have been conducted in China on caregiver burden and bereavement experiences as a process that continues over time. The purpose of this study was to identify the main elements of caring and bereavement experiences for FCs caring for patients diagnosed with terminal cancer.MethodTwenty in-depth qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with FCs providing care in a hospice unit in Shenzhen, Southern China. Interview transcripts were analyzed via thematic content analysis.ResultA framework based on the following eight principal themes was developed through content analysis of our FC interviews: symptoms of the illness, the truth-telling process, attitudes toward death, the “color” of death, social and professional support, the moment of death, and grief and loss.Significance of resultsThe analysis showed that caregiving may positively or negatively influence the bereavement process.

Course and predictors of depressive symptoms among family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients until their death

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 1312-1318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siew Tzuh Tang ◽  
Wen-Cheng Chang ◽  
Jen-Shi Chen ◽  
Hung-Ming Wang ◽  
Wen Chi Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

Verbalized desire for death or euthanasia in advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Güell ◽  
Adelaida Ramos ◽  
Tania Zertuche ◽  
Antonio Pascual
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Terminally Ill Cancer Patients ◽  
Symptom Intensity ◽  
Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale ◽  
Desire To Die

AbstractObjective:We aimed to address the prevalence of desire-to-die statements (DDSs) among terminally ill cancer patients in an acute palliative care unit. We also intended to compare the underlying differences between those patients who make desire-to-die comments (DDCs) and those who make desire-for-euthanasia comments (EUCs).Method:We conducted a one-year cross-sectional prospective study in all patients receiving palliative care who had made a DDC or EUC. At inclusion, we evaluated symptom intensity, anxiety and depression, and conducted a semistructured interview regarding the reasons for these comments.Results:Of the 701 patients attended to during the study period, 69 (9.8%; IC95% 7.7–12.3) made a DDS: 51 (7.3%) a DDC, and 18 (2.5%) an EUC. Using Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) DDC group showed higher percentage of moderate-severe symptoms (ESAS > 4) for well-being (91 vs. 25%; p = 0.001), depression (67 vs. 25%; p = 0.055), and anxiety (52 vs. 13%; p = 0.060) than EUC group. EUC patients also considered themselves less spiritual (44 vs. 84%; p = 0.034). The single most common reason for a DDS was pain or physical suffering, though most of the reasons given were nonphysical.Significance of results:Almost 10% of the population receiving specific oncological palliative care made a DDC (7.3%) or EUC (2.5%). The worst well-being score was lower in the EUC group. The reasons for both a DDC and EUC were mainly nonphysical. We find that emotional and spiritual issues should be identified and effectively addressed when responding to a DDS in terminally ill cancer patients.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document