Caring for a spouse with advanced cancer: similarities and differences for male and female caregivers
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Caring for a spouse with advanced cancer: similarities and differences for male and female caregivers Dana Ketcher1 · Ryan Trettevik2 · Susan T. Vadaparampil1 · Richard E. Heyman3 · Lee Ellington4 · Maija Reblin1
Received: 29 May 2019 / Accepted: 11 December 2019 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2019
Abstract Most caregiving literature has focused on women, who have traditionally taken on caregiving roles. However, more research is needed to clarify the mixed evidence regarding the impact of gender on caregiver/patient psychological outcomes, especially in an advanced cancer context. In this paper, we examine gender differences in caregiver stress, burden, anxiety, depression, and coping styles, as well as how caregiver gender impacts patient outcomes in the context of advanced cancer. Eighty-eight patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers completed psychosocial surveys. All couples were heterosexual and most caregivers were women (71.6%). Female caregivers reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and social strain compared with male caregivers, and female patients of male caregivers were more likely to use social support as a coping style compared with male patients of female caregivers. These findings highlight the potential differences between male and female caregivers’ needs and psychological health. Keywords Caregiving · Gender · Spouse · Advanced cancer · Marriage
* Maija Reblin [email protected] 1
Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL, USA
2
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
3
Family Translational Research Group, New York University, New York, NY, USA
4
College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Introduction In addition to the direct impact on patients, a diagnosis of cancer has direct implications for caregivers, especially spouse caregivers because they are frequently involved in direct care and management of the patient (Stenberg, Ruland, & Miaskowski, 2010; Stetz, 1987). Cancer is the third most common reason for adult caregiving (National Alliance for Caregiving, 2015), and can have important implications for psychological and physical health. Although some caregivers have reported benefits from providing care (Hudson, 2004; Kang et al., 2013; Wong, Ussher, & Perz, 2009), the negative outcomes associated with caregiving are important, have been well documented, and include outcomes such as high stress, poor health, unmet needs, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burnout (Fitzell & Pakenham, 2010; Girgis, Lambert, Johnson, Waller, & Currow, 2013; Hagedoorn, Sanderman, Bolks, Tuinstra, & Coyne, 2008; Li, Mak, & Loke, 2013; Matthews, Baker, & Spillers, 2004; Northouse, Williams, Given, & McCorkle, 2012; Perz, Ussher, Butow, & Wain, 2011). Caregivers of advanced cancer patients are at greater risk for adverse outcomes when compared with caregivers of other kinds of patients, which is likely due to increased need for physical care
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