Crystal Natvig1, Susan K Mikulich-Gilbertson2, Mark L Laudenslager2, Cathy J Bradley3. 1. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA. Crystal.Natvig@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU. 2. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA. 3. Department of Health Systems, Management, and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) is a demanding treatment that requires caregiver support during the first 100 days post-transplant. Little is known about the association between caregivers' employment changes and their well-being during this lengthy and challenging time when caregivers may be balancing work with caregiving responsibilities. METHODS: We used data from employed caregivers of Allo-HSCT patients who participated in two randomized clinical trials (N = 187) of an intervention for caregivers. Caregiver depression and anxiety were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. ANCOVA was used to measure the associations between reducing work with depression and anxiety. Caregiver's demographics and baseline employment status were controlled in the analysis along with the patient's transplant conditioning intensity. RESULTS: Approximately 45% of caregivers reduced hours worked following the resumption of their caregiving duties. These caregivers, on average, had 3.49 points higher depression scores than caregivers who did not report a reduction in work (p < 0.01). Similarly, these caregivers also reported, on average, 3.56 higher anxiety scores (p < 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers who reduced hours worked while caregiving reported greater distress. The underlying cause of this distress deserves further investigation. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Caregivers of patients diagnosed with cancer may experience considerable stress related to work discontinuation and caregiving. Interventions are needed to support caregivers who are trying to balance work and caregiving responsibilities.
PURPOSE: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) is a demanding treatment that requires caregiver support during the first 100 days post-transplant. Little is known about the association between caregivers' employment changes and their well-being during this lengthy and challenging time when caregivers may be balancing work with caregiving responsibilities. METHODS: We used data from employed caregivers of Allo-HSCT patients who participated in two randomized clinical trials (N = 187) of an intervention for caregivers. Caregiver depression and anxiety were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. ANCOVA was used to measure the associations between reducing work with depression and anxiety. Caregiver's demographics and baseline employment status were controlled in the analysis along with the patient's transplant conditioning intensity. RESULTS: Approximately 45% of caregivers reduced hours worked following the resumption of their caregiving duties. These caregivers, on average, had 3.49 points higher depression scores than caregivers who did not report a reduction in work (p < 0.01). Similarly, these caregivers also reported, on average, 3.56 higher anxiety scores (p < 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers who reduced hours worked while caregiving reported greater distress. The underlying cause of this distress deserves further investigation. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Caregivers of patients diagnosed with cancer may experience considerable stress related to work discontinuation and caregiving. Interventions are needed to support caregivers who are trying to balance work and caregiving responsibilities.
Authors: Elizabeth R Kessler; Angela Moss; S Gail Eckhardt; Mark L Laudenslager; Kristin Kilbourn; Iris B Mauss; Daniel W Bowles; Sharon Hecker; Diane L Fairclough; Jean S Kutner Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2014-08-15 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Mark L Laudenslager; Teresa L Simoneau; Susan K Mikulich-Gilbertson; Crystal Natvig; Benjamin W Brewer; Timothy S Sannes; Kristin Kilbourn; Jon Gutman; Peter McSweeney Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2019-05-25 Impact factor: 3.894
Authors: Teresa L Simoneau; Susan K Mikulich-Gilbertson; Crystal Natvig; Kristin Kilbourn; Janet Spradley; Rachel Grzywa-Cobb; Samuel Philips; Peter McSweeney; Mark L Laudenslager Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2013-02-25 Impact factor: 3.894
Authors: Janet S de Moor; Emily C Dowling; Donatus U Ekwueme; Gery P Guy; Juan Rodriguez; Katherine S Virgo; Xuesong Han; Erin E Kent; Chunyu Li; Kristen Litzelman; Timothy S McNeel; Benmei Liu; K Robin Yabroff Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2016-07-16 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: M L Laudenslager; T L Simoneau; K Kilbourn; C Natvig; S Philips; J Spradley; P Benitez; P McSweeney; S K Mikulich-Gilbertson Journal: Bone Marrow Transplant Date: 2015-05-11 Impact factor: 5.483