Youn Seon Choi1, Sun Wook Hwang2, In Cheol Hwang3, Yong Ju Lee4, Young Sung Kim5, Hyo Min Kim6, Chang Ho Youn6, Hong Yup Ahn7, Su-Jin Koh8. 1. Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. 2. Department of Family Medicine, Catholic University St. Paul's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. 3. Department of Family Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, South Korea. 4. Department of Palliative Medicine, Catholic University Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. 5. Department of Family Medicine, Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, South Korea. 6. Department of Family Medicine, Kyungpook National University Medical Center, Daegu, South Korea. 7. Department of Statistics, Dongguk University, Seoul, South Korea. 8. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, South Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Limited research has examined the quality of life (QOL) and its correlates among family caregivers (FCs) during the final stage of terminal cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of overall QOL and its subdomains among Korean FCs at the very end of life. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 299 FCs of terminal cancer patients from seven palliative care units. To assess FCs' QOL and its predictors, we used the Caregiver Quality Of Life Index-Cancer, which contains four domains. Possible determinants of caregiver QOL were categorized into patient, caregiver, and environmental factors. A multiple regression model was used to identify factors associated with FCs' QOL. RESULTS: Variance in each Caregiver Quality Of Life Index-Cancer domain was explained by different factors. FCs of younger patient felt more burden but were more likely to adapt positively. Emotional distress of FCs was strongly associated with total QOL, burdensomeness, and disruptiveness. Positive adaptation was related to more visits for care, FCs' religiousness, more social support, and satisfactory perceived quality of care. Financial concerns were more likely in married FCs, FCs with less social support, or low incomes. CONCLUSION: Emotional distress of FCs was the most important factor determining the overall and negative aspects of FCs' QOL, whereas various environmental factors were associated with positive coping. Appropriate support programs directed at these factors are needed to maintain and improve FCs' QOL.
OBJECTIVE: Limited research has examined the quality of life (QOL) and its correlates among family caregivers (FCs) during the final stage of terminal cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of overall QOL and its subdomains among Korean FCs at the very end of life. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 299 FCs of terminal cancerpatients from seven palliative care units. To assess FCs' QOL and its predictors, we used the Caregiver Quality Of Life Index-Cancer, which contains four domains. Possible determinants of caregiver QOL were categorized into patient, caregiver, and environmental factors. A multiple regression model was used to identify factors associated with FCs' QOL. RESULTS: Variance in each Caregiver Quality Of Life Index-Cancer domain was explained by different factors. FCs of younger patient felt more burden but were more likely to adapt positively. Emotional distress of FCs was strongly associated with total QOL, burdensomeness, and disruptiveness. Positive adaptation was related to more visits for care, FCs' religiousness, more social support, and satisfactory perceived quality of care. Financial concerns were more likely in married FCs, FCs with less social support, or low incomes. CONCLUSION: Emotional distress of FCs was the most important factor determining the overall and negative aspects of FCs' QOL, whereas various environmental factors were associated with positive coping. Appropriate support programs directed at these factors are needed to maintain and improve FCs' QOL.
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