Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-lj6df Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-09T08:23:30.008Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The influence of psychological factors on the burden of caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: Resiliency and caregiver burden

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 May 2017

Carolina Palacio ,
Alicia Krikorian  and
Joaquín T. Limonero
Carolina Palacio*
Affiliation:
Instituto de Cancerología, Clínica las Américas, Medellín, Colombia School of Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Pain and Palliative Care Group, School of Health Sciences, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia Research Group on Stress and Health, School of Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Alicia Krikorian
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Pain and Palliative Care Group, School of Health Sciences, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
Joaquín T. Limonero
Affiliation:
Research Group on Stress and Health, School of Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Carolina Palacio, Instituto de Cancerología, Clínica las Américas, Carrera 70 #135, Medellín, Colombia. E-Mail: [email protected].
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

The aim of our study was to identify the influence of such psychological factors as emotional intelligence and perceived competence on caregiver burden in those who care for patients with advanced cancer.

Method:

A total of 50 informal caregivers completed self-report assessments of resilience, perceived competence, emotional regulation, positive aspects of care, emotional distress, and burden. We conducted a quantitative study with a cross-sectional design. Descriptive statistics were obtained. Associations between the different variables were assessed using nonparametric and multiple regression analyses.

Results:

Participants were mainly female (88%) and had an average of 20 months of caregiving. Their mean age was 47 years (range = 20–79). More than half of scored high on resilience, positive aspects of caring, and emotional distress, moderately on perceived competence, and low on burden. Most caregivers used cognitive restructuring and social support as coping strategies. Inverse negative correlations were observed among emotional distress, emotional state, and burden with perceived competence and positive aspects of caring (p < 0.05). Significant differences were obtained for emotional distress, cognitive restructuring, and resiliency. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that perceived competence, resiliency, and positive aspects of caring were the main predictors of burden.

Significance of Results:

Resilience, perceived competence, emotional regulation, and positive aspects of care constitute protective factors against caregiver burden. Taken together, these aspects should be promoted by the healthcare staff in order to facilitate caregiver adaptation and well-being.

Keywords

CaregiverResiliencyEmotional regulationPerceived competenceBurden
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , June 2018 , pp. 269 - 277
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Ángeles Pastor, M.A., Martin-Aragon, M., López-Roig, S., et al. (2009). La escala de competencia en salud: Propiedades psicométricas en una muestra Española [in Spanish]. Ansiedad Estrés, 15(1), 85–96.Google Scholar
Arber, A., Hutson, N., de Vries, K., et al. (2013). Finding the right kind of support: A study of carers of those with a primary malignant brain tumour. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 17(1), 52–58. Epub ahead of print Feb 29, 2012.Google Scholar
Becoña, E. (2006). Resiliencia: Definición, características y utilidad del concepto [in Spanish]. Revista de Psicopatologa y Psicologia Clínica, 11(3), 125–146. Available from http://aepcp.net/arc/01.2006(3).Becona.pdf.Google Scholar
Breinbauer, H., Vásquez, H., Mayanz, S., et al. (2009). Validación en Chile de la Escala de Sobrecarga del Cuidador de Zarit en sus versiones original y abreviada [Original and abbreviated Zarit caregiver burden scales: Validation in Chile] [in Spanish]. Revista Médica de Chile, 137(5), 657–665. Epub ahead of print Jul 17.Google Scholar
Cabello, R., Salguero, J.M., Fernández-Berrocal, P., et al. (2013). A Spanish adaptation of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 29, 234–240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cano, F.J., Rodriguez, L. & García, J. (2007). Adaptación Española del Inventario de Estrategias de Afrontamiento [in Spanish]. Actas Espoñolas de Psiquiatria, 35, 29–39.Google Scholar
Carretero, S., Garcés, J., Ródenas, F., et al. (2009). The informal caregiver's burden of dependent people: Theory and empirical review. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 49(1), 74–79. Epub ahead of print Jul 1, 2008.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cormio, C., Romito, F., Viscanti, G., et al. (2014). Psychological well-being and posttraumatic growth in caregivers of cancer patients. Frontiers in Psychology, 20(5), 1342. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4238371/.Google Scholar
Donnelly, M., Anderson, L.A. & Johnston, B.T. (2008). Oesophageal cancer: Caregiver mental health and strain. Psycho-Oncology, 12(12), 1196–1201.Google Scholar
Galvis, L.C., Pinzón, M.L. & Romero, E. (2004). Comparación entre la habilidad de cuidado de cuidadores de personas en situación de enfermedad crónica en Villavicencio, Meta [in Spanish]. Revista Avances en Enfermería. 22(1), 8–12.Google Scholar
Goldzweig, G., Merims, S., Ganon, R., et al. (2013). Informal caregiving to older cancer patients: Preliminary research outcomes and implications. Annals of Oncology, 24(10), 2635–2640. Epub ahead of print Jul 25. Available from https://academic.oup.com/annonc/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/annonc/mdt250.Google Scholar
González-Arritia, N.I., Nieto, D. & Valdes, J.L. (2011). Resiliencia en madres e hijos con cáncer [in Spanish]. Psicooncologia, 8(1), 113–123. Available from https://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/PSIC/article/viewFile/PSIC1111120113A/35037.Google Scholar
Gross, J.J. (1999). Emotion and emotion regulation. In Handbook of Personality: Theory and Research. Pervin, L.A. & John, O.P. (eds.), pp. 525–552. New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Grov, E.K., Dahl, A.A., Moum, T., et al. (2005). Anxiety, depression, and quality of life in caregivers of patients with cancer in late palliative phase. Annals of Oncology, 16(7), 1185–1191. Epub ahead of print Apr 22. Available from https://academic.oup.com/annonc/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/annonc/mdi210.Google Scholar
Gysels, M., Shipman, C. & Higginson, I.J. (2014). Is the qualitative research interview an acceptable medium for research with palliative care patients and carers? BMC Medical Ethics, 24(9), 7. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2383914/.Google Scholar
Harding, R., List, S., Epiphaniou, E., et al. (2012). How can informal caregiver in cancer and palliative care be supported? An updated systematic literature review of interventions and their effectiveness. Palliative Medicine, 26(1), 7–22. Epub ahead of print Jul 7, 2011.Google Scholar
Herrera-Jiménez, L.F. & Delgado Suárez, Jennifer (2008). Un acercamiento a la definición de la controlabilidad en el proceso de salud–enfermedad [in Spanish]. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicologia, 40(3), 475–484.Google Scholar
Hilgeman, M., Allen, R., DeCoster, J., et al. (2007). Positive aspects of caregiving as a moderator of treatment outcome over 12 months. Psychology and Aging, 22(2), 361–371. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2579267/.Google Scholar
Hodges, L.J., Humphris, G.M. & Macfarlane, G. (2005). A meta-analytic investigation of the relationship between the psychological distress of cancer patients and their carers. Social Science & Medicine, 60(1), 1–12.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hudson, P. & Payne, S. (2011). Family caregivers and palliative care: Current status and agenda for the future. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 14(7), 864–869. Epub ahead of print May 20.Google Scholar
Hudson, P., Remedios, C., Zordan, R., et al. (2012). Guidelines for the psychosocial and bereavement support of family caregivers of palliative care patients. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 15(6), 696–702. Epub ahead of print Mar 2. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3362953/.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
International Agency for the Research of Cancer (2014). World Cancer Report 2014. Press release no. 224. London: World Health Organization. Available from http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2014/pdfs/pr224_E.pdf.Google Scholar
Krikorian, A., Vélez, M.C., González, O., et al. (2010). La experiencia de sufrimiento en cuidadores principales de pacientes con dolor oncológico y no oncológico [in Spanish]. Avances de Enfermeria, 28(1), 13–20.Google Scholar
Lavretsky, H., Siddarth, P. & Irwin, M.R. (2010). Improving depression and enhancing resilience in family dementia caregivers: A pilot randomized placebo-controlled trial of escitalopram. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(2), 154–162. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2813456/.Google Scholar
Lengua, L.J. & Long, A.C. (2002). The role of emotionality and self-regulation in the appraisal–coping process: Tests of direct and moderating effects. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 23(4), 471–493.Google Scholar
Limonero, J.T., Tomás-Sábado, J., Fernández-Castro, J., et al. (2004). Influencia de la inteligencia emocional percibida en el estrés laboral de enfermería [in Spanish]. Ansiedad Estrés, 10(1), 29–41.Google Scholar
Limonero, J.T., Tomás-Sábado, J., Fernández-Castro, J. (2006). Relación entre inteligencia emocional percibida y ansiedad ante la muerte en estudiantes universitarios [Relationship between perceived emotional intelligence and death anxiety in college students] [in Spanish]. Ansiedad Estrés, 12(2–3), 267–278.Google Scholar
Limonero, J.T., Tomás-Sábado, J., Fernandez-Castro, J., et al. (2010). Competencia personal percibida y ansiedad ante la muerte en estudiantes de enfermería [Perceived personal competence and death anxiety in nursing students] [in Spanish]. Ansiedad Estrés, 16(2–3), 177–188.Google Scholar
Limonero, J.T., Tomás-Sábado, J., Fernández-Castro, J., et al. (2012 a). Estrategias de afrontamiento resilientes y regulación emocional: Predictores de satisfacción con la vida [in Spanish]. Psicologia Conductual, 20(1), 183–196.Google Scholar
Limonero, J.T., Mateo, D., Mate, J., et al. (2012 b). Evaluación de las propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario de Detección de Malestar Emocional (DME) en pacientes oncológicos [Assessment of the psychometric properties of the Detection of Emotional Distress Scale in cancer patients] [in Spanish]. Gaceta Sanitaria, 26(2), 145–152. Available from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0213911111002676.Google Scholar
Limonero, J.T., Sábado, J.T., Gómez, M.J., et al. (2014). Evidence for validity of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale in a young Spanish sample. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 17, e34.Google Scholar
Limonero, J.T., Fernández-Castro, J., Soler-Oritja, J., et al. (2015). Emotional intelligence and recovering from induced negative emotional state. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 816. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4472988/.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Limonero, J.T., Maté-Méndez, J., Mateo, D., et al. (2016). Desarrollo de la DME–C: Una escala para la detección del malestar emocional de los cuidadores principales de enfermos con enfermedad avanzada [in Spanish]. Ansiedad Estrés, 22(1), 104–109.Google Scholar
Maté, J., Sirgo, A., Mateo, D., et al. (2009). Elaboración y propuesta de un instrumento para la detección de malestar emocional en enfermos al final de la vida [in Spanish]. Psicooncologia, 6(2–3), 507–518.Google Scholar
Papastavrou, E., Charalambous, A. & Tsangari, H. (2012). How do informal caregivers of patients with cancer cope: A descriptive study of the coping strategies employed. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 16(3), 258–263.Google Scholar
Pires, A.C. & Limonero, J.T. (2008). Aspectos positivos de ser cuidador principal de enfermos al final de la vida en una unidad de cuidados paliativos: Trabajo de investigación de máster inédito [in Spanish]. Master's thesis. Barcelona: Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona.Google Scholar
Prue, G., Satin, O. & Porter, S. (2015). Assessing the needs of informal caregivers to cancer survivors: A review of the instruments. Psycho-Oncology, 24(2), 121–129. Epub ahead of print Jun 14, 2014.Google Scholar
Rico, J., Restrepo, M. & Molina, M. (2005). Adaptación y validación de la escala Hospitalaria de Ansiedad y Depresión (HAD) en una muestra de pacientes con cáncer del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología de Colombia [in Spanish]. Avances Medición, 3, 73–86.Google Scholar
Sanz, A., Fernández, J., Doval, E., et al. (1998). Validación de la escala de competencia personal de Wallston: Implicaciones para el estudio del estrés [in Spanish]. Ansiedad Estrés, 1(4), 31–41.Google Scholar
Schulz, R. & Sherwood, P.R. (2008). Physical and mental health effects of family caregiving. American Journal of Nursing, 108(Suppl. 9), 23–27. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2791523/.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sinclair, V.G. & Wallston, K.A. (2004). The development and psychometric evaluation of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Assessment, 11(1), 94–101.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, M.S., Wallston, K.A. & Smith, C.A. (1995). The development and validation of the Perceived Health Competence Scale. Health Education Research, 10(1), 51–64.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sterckx, W., Coolbrandt, A., Dierckx de Casterlé, B., et al. (2013). The impact of a high-grade glioma on everyday life: A systematic review from the patient's and caregiver's perspective. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 17(1), 107–117.Google Scholar
Tobin, D.L., Holroyd, K.A., Reynolds, R.V., et al. (1989). The hierarchical factor structure of the Coping Strategies Inventory. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 13(4), 343–361.Google Scholar
Truzzi, A., Valente, L., Ulstein, I., et al. (2012). Burnout in familial caregivers of patients with dementia [in Spanish]. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 34(4), 405–412.Google Scholar
Vahidi, M., Mahnavi, N., Asghari, E., et al. (2016). Other side of breast cancer: Factors associated with caregiver burden. Asian Nursing Research, 10(3), 201–206.Google Scholar
Vélez Angel, M.C. (2008). Caracterización de los Cuidadores [in Spanish]. In Aspectos Socioculturales del Sufrimiento. Dolor y sufrimiento: Perspectivas desde los cuidados paliativos, pp. 43–51. Medellín: Ediciones Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana.Google Scholar
Zigmond, A.S. & Snaith, R.P. (1983). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 67(6), 361–370.Google Scholar