Where you begin is not necessarily where you end: the mental and physical health trajectories of cancer caregivers over time.

Journal: Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer

Volume: 32

Issue: 4

Year of Publication: 2024

Affiliated Institutions:  College of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University, N Broad St, th fl Suite , Philadelphia, PA, , USA. Department of Health Behavior and Policy, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, East Main Street Richmond, Richmond, VA, , USA. College of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University, N Broad St, th fl Suite , Philadelphia, PA, , USA. lasiminoff@temple.edu.

Abstract summary 

Cancer caregiving, a critical component in the cancer-care model, has deleterious effects on the caregiver's physical and mental health. The degree to which these negative effects are uniformly experienced by caregivers is unclear; effects may be exacerbated at the end of life when caregiving is intensified. Not all caregivers have the support of an additional involved support person (secondary caregiver). The impact of the secondary caregiver's absence on the primary caregiver's well-being is understudied.Terminal cancer patient-caregiver dyads (n = 223) were recruited from oncology clinics and followed for six months or until patient death. Longitudinal latent growth models were used to characterize the heterogeneity of caregiver physical health and depressive symptoms; characteristics associated with these trajectories are examined.Caregivers were majority female (74%), white (55%) and patient spouses (60%). Two physical health (moderate, stable; initially good, declining) and two depressive symptom (moderate, stable; high, increasing) trajectories were identified. Declining physical health was more likely among caregivers who were healthiest at baseline, had higher levels of education, lower subjective burden, fewer depressive symptoms, cared for patients with fewer functional limitations and reported fewer caregiving tasks rendered by a secondary caregiver. Those with increasing depressive symptoms were more likely to be white, patient's wife, have higher subjective caregiver burden, lower physical health, and care for a patient with greater functional limitations.Decreasing physical health was evident among caregivers who were initially healthier and reported less assistance from secondary caregivers. Increasing depression was seen in white, female spouses with higher subjective burden. Sample heterogeneity revealed hidden groups unexpectedly at risk in the primary cancer caregiver role to which the oncology care team should be alert.

Authors & Co-authors:  Genderson Thomson Siminoff

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Given BA, Given CW, Kozachik S (2001) Family support in advanced cancer. CA Cancer J Clin 51(4):213–231. https://doi.org/10.3322/canjclin.51.4.213
Authors :  3
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1007/s00520-024-08437-y
SSN : 1433-7339
Study Population
Female
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
Cancer;Cancer caregiving;Caregiver mental health;Caregiver physical health;Oncology;Primary caregiver;Secondary caregiver
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
Germany