Bing-Shen Huang1,2, Chien-Yu Lin1,2, Tsung-Min Hung1,2, Ching-Fang Chung3, Ya-Lan Chang3, Shu-Ching Chen4,5,6. 1. Department of Radiation Oncology and Proton and Radiation Therapy Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 2. Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 3. Department of Nursing, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 4. Department of Radiation Oncology and Proton and Radiation Therapy Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. shuching@gw.cgust.edu.tw. 5. School of Nursing and Long-Term Care Research Center, College of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan. shuching@gw.cgust.edu.tw. 6. School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. shuching@gw.cgust.edu.tw.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Spousal caregiving of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients challenges relationship quality and may negatively impact family function. Our purpose was to identify factors associated with family dysfunction in spousal caregivers (SCs) of HNC patients within the first 6 months after treatment. We explored whether patient or SC characteristics differ by level of family dysfunction. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of HNC patient-SC dyads in Taiwan from July 2020 to January 2022 using patient-reported outcomes. Patients were assessed using a set of structured questionnaires to measure performance status, demographic and clinical characteristics, physical function, and social-emotional function. SCs were measured on their hardiness, coping styles, spousal relationship, quality of life, and family function. RESULTS: Of the 132 dyads surveyed, 62.1% of SCs reported a functional family, 34.8% reported a moderately dysfunctional family, and 3.0% reported a highly dysfunctional family. Patient factors associated with family dysfunction (highly dysfunctional or moderately dysfunctional) included lower family annual income and worse social-emotional function. Associated SC factors were lower hardiness, less use of active coping, and worse spousal relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Lower family annual income, less patient social-emotional function, less SC hardiness, less SC active coping, and worse SC perceived spousal relationship were associated with perceived family dysfunction. Providing patient-SC dyads with sufficient social resources and problem-solving training may help them positively cope with cancer and enhance family function.
PURPOSE: Spousal caregiving of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients challenges relationship quality and may negatively impact family function. Our purpose was to identify factors associated with family dysfunction in spousal caregivers (SCs) of HNC patients within the first 6 months after treatment. We explored whether patient or SC characteristics differ by level of family dysfunction. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of HNC patient-SC dyads in Taiwan from July 2020 to January 2022 using patient-reported outcomes. Patients were assessed using a set of structured questionnaires to measure performance status, demographic and clinical characteristics, physical function, and social-emotional function. SCs were measured on their hardiness, coping styles, spousal relationship, quality of life, and family function. RESULTS: Of the 132 dyads surveyed, 62.1% of SCs reported a functional family, 34.8% reported a moderately dysfunctional family, and 3.0% reported a highly dysfunctional family. Patient factors associated with family dysfunction (highly dysfunctional or moderately dysfunctional) included lower family annual income and worse social-emotional function. Associated SC factors were lower hardiness, less use of active coping, and worse spousal relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Lower family annual income, less patient social-emotional function, less SC hardiness, less SC active coping, and worse SC perceived spousal relationship were associated with perceived family dysfunction. Providing patient-SC dyads with sufficient social resources and problem-solving training may help them positively cope with cancer and enhance family function.