Course and predictors of depressive symptoms among family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients until their death
- 27 July 2012
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Psycho‐Oncology
- Vol. 22 (6), 1312-1318
- https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3141
Abstract
Objective Few studies have investigated the impact of providing end‐of‐life care on family caregivers' depressive symptoms over time, especially until the patient's death. The purpose of this study was to identify the course and predictors of depressive symptoms in caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients until they died. Methods For this prospective, longitudinal study of 193 caregivers, data were collected using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Symptom Distress Scale, Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, and Caregiver Reaction Assessment scale. The course and predictors of depressive symptoms were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation model. Results Caregivers' depressive symptoms increased as the patient's death approached. Spousal or adult child family caregivers suffered more depressive symptoms if they self‐identified as lacking social support and confidence in offering substantial assistance for younger terminally ill cancer patients with higher levels of symptom distress. Caregivers were susceptible to higher levels of depressive symptoms if they were heavily burdened by caregiving, that is, experienced more disruptions in schedules, greater health deterioration, stronger sense of family abandonment, and lower caregiver esteem. Conclusions Psychological well‐being of caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients deteriorated in response to progression of the patient's disease and impending death. Effective interventions should be developed and provided to high‐risk caregivers as identified in our study. Increasing caregivers' strength of perceived social support, facilitating their confidence in caregiving, and alleviating their subjective burden may lessen the development of depressive symptoms in caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients throughout the dying process. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Funding Information
- National Health Research Institute (NHRI-EX94-9806PC, NHRI-EX99-10106PI)
- National Science Council (NSC99-2628-B-182-031-MY2)
This publication has 44 references indexed in Scilit:
- Depressive symptoms in lung cancer patients and their family caregivers and the influence of family environmentPsycho‐Oncology, 2010
- Economic Burden for Informal Caregivers of Lung and Colorectal Cancer PatientsThe Oncologist, 2010
- Social support buffers the impact of functional impairments on caregiver psychological well‐being in the context of brain tumor and other cancersPsycho‐Oncology, 2009
- A Randomized, Controlled Trial of a Patient/Caregiver Symptom Control Intervention: Effects on Depressive Symptomatology of Caregivers of Cancer PatientsJournal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2005
- Psychological distress in couples dealing with colorectal cancer: Gender and role differences and intracouple correspondenceBritish Journal of Health Psychology, 2004
- The psychological impact of cancer on patients’ partners and other key relatives: a reviewEuropean Journal of Cancer, 2003
- Assistance from Family Members, Friends, Paid Care Givers, and Volunteers in the Care of Terminally Ill PatientsThe New England Journal of Medicine, 1999
- Survival of Medicare Patients after Enrollment in Hospice ProgramsThe New England Journal of Medicine, 1996
- Longitudinal impact of interhousehold caregiving on adult children's mental health.Psychology and Aging, 1989
- The CES-D ScaleApplied Psychological Measurement, 1977