Quality of life of family caregivers at 2 years after a relative's cancer diagnosis.

Although a growing body of research has documented the quality of life (QOL) of cancer survivors beyond the initial phase of the survivorship, similar knowledge about family caregivers of cancer survivors remains limited. Thus, the current study aimed: (a) to characterize the multidimensional aspects of the QOL of family caregivers of cancer survivors at 2 years after the diagnosis and (b) to predict certain aspects of caregivers' QOL by their demographic and caregiving characteristics. A total of 1635 caregivers of cancer survivors participated in the nationwide Quality of Life Survey for Caregivers. Multidimensional aspects of QOL were assessed, including mental and physical health, as well as psychological adjustment and spirituality at 2 years post-diagnosis of their relatives' cancer. Family caregivers reported normal levels of QOL after 2 years post-diagnosis, except that they were more likely to experience increased awareness of spirituality than do individuals who personally experience a chronic illness. In addition, caregivers' age and income and care-recipients' poor mental and physical functioning were significant predictors of their QOL at 2 years post-diagnosis. The findings suggest that younger, relatively poor caregivers who are providing care to relatives with poor mental and physical functioning may benefit from interventions to help in their spirituality and psychological and physical adjustment, 2 years after the initial cancer diagnosis. In addition, older, relatively poor caregivers may benefit from programs to reduce the physical burden of caregiving. These findings have implications for advancing public health research and practice.

Kim Y ，Spillers RL 《-》

Quality of life of family caregivers 5 years after a relative's cancer diagnosis: follow-up of the national quality of life survey for caregivers.

Although cancer has been considered as a chronic disease for those diagnosed, the long-term impact of cancer on the family caregivers' quality of life (QOL) remains unknown. Thus, the current study aimed: (a) to characterize family caregivers of cancer survivors, (b) to describe the multidimensional aspects of QOL of family caregivers of cancer survivors, and (c) to identify demographic and caregiving experience factors that may play significant roles in the caregivers' QOL around 5 years after the relative's initial diagnosis. Methods. A total of 1218 caregivers participated in the 5-year follow-up nationwide QOL Survey for Caregivers. Demographics and caregiving experiences were measured 2 years post-diagnosis of their relative's cancer. Multidimensional aspects of QOL were assessed, including mental and physical health, psychological adjustment, and spirituality at 5 years post-diagnosis. Three groups of caregivers were identified: former caregivers due to the recipients being in remission, former caregivers whose recipients were deceased, and current caregivers. Current caregivers reported worst levels of QOL. Bereaved caregivers reported lower levels of psychological and spiritual adjustment than former caregivers whose recipients were in remission. In addition, caregivers' age and stress were consistent predictors of QOL across three caregiver groups at 5 years post-diagnosis. The findings help to increase evidence-based awareness of the long-term impact of cancer on the family caregivers' QOL. Findings also have implications for developing programs, whereby family caregivers in the various phases of caregivership will benefit by improving their QOL.

Kim Y ，Spillers RL ，Hall DL 《-》

Needs assessment of family caregivers of cancer survivors: three cohorts comparison.

Caregivers' quality of life (QOL) may be maximized when the caregivers' needs in the context of cancer care are met. Therefore, determining what needs are not being satisfied for family caregivers should be the first step in the development of programs designed to enhance caregivers' QOL. The 28-item Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers-Cancer (NAFC-C) scale was developed and validated with caregivers at three different survivorship phases: at 2 months (n=162), 2 years (n=896), and 5 years (n=608) post-diagnosis. The NAFC-C helped to identify caregivers whose needs were less likely to be met, based on their age and ethnicity. Furthermore, the extent to which caregivers' psychosocial needs were not being met was a consistent and strong predictor of poor mental health across all phases of survivorship, beyond the effects of a host of demographic characteristics. Findings suggest that interventions designed to help caregivers manage their own emotional distress as well as the survivors' distress, find meaning in the cancer caregiving experience, and foster supportive familial relationship will benefit caregivers by improving their QOL, not only during the time of diagnosis and treatment but years after.

Kim Y ，Kashy DA ，Spillers RL ，Evans TV ... -  《-》

Quality of life of family caregivers 8 years after a relative's cancer diagnosis: follow-up of the National Quality of Life Survey for Caregivers.

The long-term impact of cancer caregiving on the family caregivers' quality of life (QOL) is currently not known. This study aimed (a) to characterize family caregivers of cancer survivors at 8 years post-diagnosis in terms of multidimensional aspects of QOL and (b) to identify demographic and early caregiving experience characteristics that may play significant roles in predicting the caregivers' longer-term QOL. A total of 1087 caregivers participated in the 8-year follow-up National Quality of Life Survey for Caregivers. Demographics and early caregiving experiences were measured 2 years post-diagnosis of their relative's cancer. Multidimensional aspects of QOL were assessed, including mental and physical health, psychological adjustment, and spirituality at both 2-year and 8-year post-diagnosis. Approximately 90% of family caregivers ceased the caregiver role by 8 years. One-fourth of them were due to bereavement. Caregivers' demographic and early caregiving characteristics were significantly associated with QOL. In addition, being bereaved by the 8-year mark predicted poorer mental health and greater psychological distress independent of contributions of demographic and early caregiving characteristics. Findings provided the first evidence that 8 years after the initial cancer diagnosis in the family, family members who became bereaved suffer from poorer mental health and greater psychological distress. Findings have theoretical implications for better understanding bereavement to cancer and practical implications for developing integrative programs to improve QOL among family members in the various phases of caregivership.

Kim Y ，Shaffer KM ，Carver CS ，Cannady RS ... -  《-》

Quality of life of family caregivers of cancer survivors: across the trajectory of the illness.

Kim Y ，Given BA 《-》