Ansuk Jeong1, Dong Wook Shin2,3, So Young Kim4,5, Hyung Kook Yang5, Joo Yeon Shin6, Keeho Park5, Ji Yeong An7, Jong-Hyock Park5,8,9. 1. Human Behavior Research Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Family Medicine/Cancer Survivorship Clinic, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. Laboratory of Health Promotion and Health Behavior, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 4. Chungbuk Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheong-ju, Republic of Korea. 5. Cancer Policy Branch, National Cancer Control Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea. 6. Department of Counseling Psychology, Hanyang Cyber University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 7. Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 8. College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheong-ju, Republic of Korea. 9. Graduate School of Health Science Business Convergence, Chungbuk National University, Cheong-ju, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Family caregivers of cancer patients are anticipated to serve multiple roles but the factors that influence their reaction to caregiving have not gotten much attention. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of cancer patient's needs level and the family hardiness on the caregivers' reaction. METHODS: A national survey was conducted through regional branches of the National Cancer Center of South Korea, yielding 990 patient-caregiver dyads. Patients and caregivers provided self-report questionnaires. Patient's medical records complemented the self-report survey data. RESULTS: On all five domains of caregiver reaction, which were schedule, esteem, support, health, and finance, family hardiness was a significant predictor. Male, older, low-income caregivers reported more burden in caregiving with some. The interaction effect of patient's needs and family hardiness was found only on esteem. CONCLUSIONS: The implications based on the findings are discussed in terms of the psycho-oncological and psycho-social interventions for the cancer patients and their family caregivers.
OBJECTIVES: Family caregivers of cancerpatients are anticipated to serve multiple roles but the factors that influence their reaction to caregiving have not gotten much attention. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of cancerpatient's needs level and the family hardiness on the caregivers' reaction. METHODS: A national survey was conducted through regional branches of the National Cancer Center of South Korea, yielding 990 patient-caregiver dyads. Patients and caregivers provided self-report questionnaires. Patient's medical records complemented the self-report survey data. RESULTS: On all five domains of caregiver reaction, which were schedule, esteem, support, health, and finance, family hardiness was a significant predictor. Male, older, low-income caregivers reported more burden in caregiving with some. The interaction effect of patient's needs and family hardiness was found only on esteem. CONCLUSIONS: The implications based on the findings are discussed in terms of the psycho-oncological and psycho-social interventions for the cancerpatients and their family caregivers.