Korean J Health Promot.  2016 Sep;16(3):192-202. 10.15384/kjhp.2016.16.3.192.

Moderating Effects of Optimism and Family Support on the Depression of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

• Choi K
• Choi DR
• Zang DY
• Park YS
• Kang SY
• Yoon H
• Lim YO
• Kim Y
• Nam I
• Lee HJ

• KMID: 2354623
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15384/kjhp.2016.16.3.192

Abstract

BACKGROUND
This study examined moderating effects of optimism and family support on the depression of family caregivers of cancer patients aged 55 and over by adopting stress process model.
METHODS
359 family caregivers who accompanied with cancer patients to out-patient clinics were recruited and completed questionnaire at three university hospitals located in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. Exploratory factor analysis was applied to test validity of the construction of the scale. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to determine moderating effects of optimism and family support on depression after making mean centering of each variable.
RESULTS
Results showed that spouse caregivers have more depression than do adult children as the nursing period gets longer. Education and income status were significant variables affecting depression of family caregivers. Optimism and family support for family caregivers have moderating effects on the association between stressors (emotional functioning of cancer patients and role overload of family caregivers) and depression of family caregivers.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that more attentions are needed to the depression of spouse caregivers. Interventions are strongly recommended for health professionals to provide cancer patients and their family caregivers with "holding environments" caring for emotions and facilitating adjustment.

Keyword

Caregivers; Depression; Optimism; Social support; Cancer

MeSH Terms

Adult Children
Attention
Caregivers*
Depression*
Education
Gyeonggi-do
Health Occupations
Hospitals, University
Humans
Nursing
Optimism*
Outpatients
Seoul

Reference

References

1. Jung KW, Won YJ, Kong HJ, Oh CM, Cho H, Lee DH, et al. Cancer statistics in Korea: incidence, mortality, survival, and prevalence in 2012. Cancer Res Treat. 2015; 47(2):127–41.

2. Kim YL, Yoo MS. A study on the relationship between the burden and the social support of family caregivers of breast cancer patients. Korean J Fam Welf. 2008; 13(2):5–24.

3. McDaniel KR, Allen DG. Working and caregiving: the impact on caregiver stress, family-work conflict, and burnout. J Life Care Plan. 2012; 10(4):21–32.

4. Given BA, Northouse L. Who cares for family caregivers of patients with cancer? Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2011; 15(5):451–2.

5. Perreault A, Fothergill-Bourbonnais F, Fiset V. The experience of family members caring for a dying loved one. Int J Palliat Nurs. 2004; 10(3):133–43.

6. Grbich C, Parker D, Maddocks I. The emotions and coping strategies of caregivers of family members with a terminal cancer. J Palliat Care. 2001; 17(1):30–6.

7. Wong FK, Liu CF, Szeto Y, Sham M, Chan T. Health problems encountered by dying patients receiving palliative home care until death. Cancer Nurs. 2004; 27(3):244–51.

8. Given BA, Given CW, Kozachik S. Family support in advanced cancer. CA Cancer J Clin. 2001; 51(4):213–31.

9. Northfield S, Nebauer M. The caregiving journey for family members of relatives with cancer: how do they cope? Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2010; 14(5):567–77.

10. Grunfeld E, Coyle D, Whelan T, Clinch J, Reyno L, Earle CC, et al. Family caregiver burden: results of a longitudinal study of breast cancer patients and their principal caregivers. CMAJ. 2004; 170(12):1795–801.

11. Ptacek JT, Pierce GR, Ptacek JJ. Coping, distress, and marital adjustment in couples with cancer: an examination of the personal and social context. J Psychosoc Oncol. 2007; 25(2):37–58.

12. Kim Y, Shaffer KM, Carver CS, Cannady RS. Prevalence and predictor of depressive symptoms among cancer caregivers 5 years after the relative's cancer diagnosis. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2014; 82(1):1–8.

13. Weitzner MA, Haley WE, Chen H. The family caregiver of the older cancer patient. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2000; 14(1):269–81.

14. Given B, Sherwood PR. Family care for the older person with cancer. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2006; 22(1):43–50.

15. Gaugler JE, Linder J, Given CW, Kataria R, Tucker G, Regine WF. The proliferation of primary cancer caregiving stress to secondary stress. Cancer Nurs. 2008; 31(2):116–23. ; quiz 124–5.

16. Hudson PL, Hayman-White K, Aranda S, Kristjanson LJ. Predicting family caregiver psychosocial functioning in palliative care. J Palliat Care. 2006; 22(3):133–40.

17. Braun M, Mikulincer M, Rydall A, Walsh A, Rodin G. Hidden morbidity in cancer: spouse caregivers. J Clin Oncol. 2007; 25(30):4829–34.

18. Nijboer C, Triemstra M, Tempelaar R, Sanderman R, van den Bos GA. Determinants of caregiving experiences and mental health of partners of cancer patients. Cancer. 1999; 86(4):577–88.

19. Northouse L, Williams AL, Given B, McCorkle R. Psychosocial care for family caregivers of patients with cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2012; 30(11):1227–34.

20. Carter PA, Acton GJ. Personality and coping: predictors of depression and sleep problems among caregivers of individuals who have cancer. J Gerontol Nurs. 2006; 32(2):45–53.

21. Given CW, Stommel M, Given B, Osuch J, Kurtz ME, Kurtz JC. The influence of cancer patients'symptoms and functional states on patients'depression and family caregivers'reaction and depression. Health Psychol. 1993; 12(4):277–85.

22. Schaefer C, Coyne JC, Lazarus RS. The health related functions of social support. J Behav Med. 1981; 4(4):381–406.

23. Irwin M, Artin KH, Oxman MN. Screening for depression in the older adult: criterion validity of the 10-Item center for epidemiological studies depression scale (CES-D). Arch Intern Med. 1999; 159(15):1701–4.

24. Chon KK, Rhee MK. Preliminary development of Korean version of CES-D. J Korean Med Sci. 1992; 11(1):65–76.

25. Herbert DL, Lucke JC, Dobson AJ. Depression: an emotional obstacle to seeking medical advice for infertility. Fertil Steril. 2010; 94(5):1817–21.

26. Kim H, Park SM, Jang SN, Kwon S. Depressive symptoms, chronic medical illness, and health care utilization: findings from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA). Int Psychogeriatr. 2011; 23(8):1285–93.

27. Choi K, Bae H, Lim YO, Nam I, Yoon H, Kim Y, et al. A comparative study on the assessment of the quality of life by older cancer patients and caregivers and assessment of performance status by medical staff. Korean J Health Promot. 2015; 15(3):150–9.

28. Pearlin LI, Mullan JT, Semple SJ, Skaff MM. Caregiving and the stress process: an overview of concepts and their measures. Gerontologist. 1990; 30(5):583–94.

29. Scheier MF, Carver CS, Bridges MW. Optimism, pessimism, and psychological wellbeing. Optimism & pessimism: Implications for theory, research, and practice. Washington: American Psychological Association;2001. p. 189–216.

30. Given CW, Given B, Stommel M, Collins C, King S, Franklin S. The caregiver reaction assessment (CRA) for caregivers to persons with chronic physical and mental impairments. Res Nurs Health. 1992; 15(4):271–83.