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The impact of patient quality of life and spirituality upon caregiver depression for those with advanced cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2012

Sara L. Douglas  and
Barbara J. Daly
Sara L. Douglas*
Affiliation:
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
Barbara J. Daly
Affiliation:
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Sara L. Douglas, School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4904. E-mail: sld4@case.edu
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Abstract

Objective:

Little is known about relationships between patient spiritual well-being and caregiver outcomes for those with advanced cancer. We were interested in examining the relationship between patient physical quality of life (QOL) and caregiver depression and to also evaluate whether patient spiritual well-being (SWB) played a mediating role in this relationship.

Method:

This is a prospective longitudinal study that was conducted in the outpatient clinics at a university-affiliated comprehensive cancer center. 226 patients with Stage III or IV cancer (lung, GI, GYN) and their primary caregivers were interviewed upon enrollment into the study and three months later. Measures of spirituality, health-related quality of life, and physical functioning were included in the interviews.

Results:

Key findings were that the relationship between patient physical QOL and caregiver depression was inverse and moderate (β = −0.24, p = 0.004) and that patient SWB (meaning/peace) played a significant (p = 0.02) and medium-size role (β = −0.31) in mediating the relationship between patient physical QOL and caregiver depression. The nature of these relationships was stable over time.

Significance of results:

Patients' spirituality is central to their coping and adjusting to cancer. It is this aspect of patient overall quality of life that mediates the relationship to caregiver well-being. The most potent intervention for caregiver depression may be attending to patient spiritual distress.

Keywords

Advanced cancerOncologySpiritualityQuality of lifeDepression
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 11 , Issue 5 , October 2013 , pp. 389 - 396
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012 

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