The impact of social support on benefit finding among patients with advanced lung cancer and their caregivers: based on actor-partner interdependence mediation model.

PURPOSE: Advanced lung cancer and its treatment serve as a sudden stressful event that profoundly impacts the psychological experience of both the patients and their primary caregiver. This study used dyadic analyses to explore the dyadic effects of social support on benefit finding and whether hope level mediates the patient-caregiver dyads in advanced lung cancer. METHODS: Two hundred ninety-five pairs of patients with advanced lung cancer and primary caregivers completed the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Herth Hope Index (HHI), and the Benefit Finding Scale (BFS). Dyadic analyses were conducted using structural equation modelling based on the actor-partner interdependence mediation model. RESULTS: The results indicated that for both patients (B = 0.259, 95% CI = 0.135-0.423, P < 0.001) and their primary caregivers (B = 0.596, 95% CI = 0.403-0.838, P < 0.001), hope level mediated the actor effect of social support on benefit finding; social support was positively associated with hope level and further enhanced benefit finding. Regarding partner effects (B = 0.242, 95% CI = 0.119-0.404, P < 0.001), primary caregivers' social support significantly indirectly affected patients' benefit finding through patients' hope level. CONCLUSION: There is an interaction between social support, hope level, and benefit finding in patients with advanced lung cancer and their primary caregivers. Healthcare professionals ought to be vigilant in recognizing patients and caregivers who are vulnerable, have limited social support, and possess diminished hope levels. At the same time, nurses should provide timely psychological support and counseling to patients and their caregivers, encourage them to actively participate in social activities, and inspire their confidence and hope in life, thus improving their benefit findings.

Supportive care needs and associated factors among caregivers of patients with colorectal cancer: a cross-sectional study.

To assess the level of supportive care needs of caregivers of colorectal cancer patients and explore the related key influencing factors. Totaling 283 caregivers of patients with colorectal cancer were investigated in this study. Firstly, caregivers were invited to complete a set of questionnaires, including the general information questionnaire, the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Partners and the Caregivers of cancer patients, the Caregiver Preparedness Scale, the Benefit Finding Scale, and the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity. Univariate and multivariate linear regression were performed to investigate the associated factors of supportive care needs. The caregivers of patients with colorectal cancer have a moderate level of needs, scored at 2.71 ± 0.42. Caregiver preparedness, benefit finding, and financial toxicity were significantly negatively associated with the supportive care needs of caregivers (r = - 0.555, P < 0.001; r = - 0.534, P < 0.001; and r = - 0.615, P < 0.001, respectively). Our multivariate regression analysis identified some factors that directly affected the supportive care needs of caregivers, including the duration of illness, tumor stage, the age and educational level of caregivers, caregiver preparedness, benefit finding, and financial toxicity (R2 = 0.574, F = 23.337, P < 0.001). Supportive care needs are common among caregivers of colorectal cancer patients. Higher caregiver preparedness, benefit finding, and financial toxicity tend to ease these needs. Healthcare workers should have an in-depth understanding of the needs of caregivers of colorectal cancer patients and actively provide targeted financial/informational/technical/emotional support to promote nursing skills and reduce caregivers' burdens.

Benefit finding in chronic kidney disease patients receiving hemodialysis: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The psychological problems of hemodialysis (HD) patients are prominent, and benefit finding (BF) have been proven beneficial to physical and mental health, fewer researchers explored BF in HD patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the current status of BF in patients with chronic kidney disease and to analyze the factors influencing it in order to provide a reference for subsequent interventions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done on 246 HD patients by convenience sampling in the hemodialysis center of a 3 A hospital in Shanghai from March to September 2019. The measures include General Information Questionnaire, Benefit Finding Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, General Self-efficacy Scale, and Simplified Coping Style scale. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range, IQR) score of BF was 66 (IQR = 19) and it was lower compared with other chronic diseases. Significant differences in BF scores were found between different age groups, HD duration categories, and understanding degrees of HD. Taking BF as the dependent variable, the results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, duration of HD, family support, other support, positive coping, and self-efficacy entered the regression equation to explain 43.8% of the total variation. Social support played an indirect effect in the relationship between positive coping and BF, accounting for 54.1% of the total effect. CONCLUSION: The BF of HD patients is worrisome and affected by many factors. Medical staff could pay attention to the positive psychology of HD patients, and construct individualized interventions according to the influencing factors to improve their BF level and achieve physical and mental health.

Testing a model of benefit-finding and growth in youths with chronic health conditions.

BACKGROUND: The experience of benefit-finding and growth (BFG), defined as perceiving positive life changes resulting from adversity, is increasingly studied among youths with chronic health conditions (CCs). However, empirical evidence is scarce for explaining individual differences in BFG. The study aimed to test a model of BFG, including an interplay of personal and environmental factors and coping processes. METHODS: A sample of N = 498 youths (12-21 years) recruited from three German patient registries for CCs (type 1 diabetes: n = 388, juvenile idiopathic arthritis: n = 82, cystic fibrosis: n = 28) completed a questionnaire including self-reported optimism, social support from parents and peers, coping strategies, and BFG. The model was created to reflect the theoretical assumptions of the Life Crisis and Personal Growth model and current empirical evidence. Structural equation modeling was conducted to evaluate the incremental explanatory power of optimism, peer group integration, parental support, acceptance, cognitive reappraisal, and seeking social support over and above sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics. RESULTS: The model (CFI = 0.93; RMSEA = 0.04; SRMR = 0.05) explained 32% of the variance in BFG. Controlling for sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics, acceptance, cognitive reappraisal, and seeking social support were directly and positively linked to BFG. All tested coping strategies significantly mediated the association between optimism and BFG, whereas seeking social support significantly mediated the relation between peer group integration and BFG. DISCUSSION: The study stresses the prominent role of emotion-focused coping strategies and peer group integration in enhancing BFG in youths with CCs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), no. DRKS00025125. Registered on May 17, 2021.

Benefit finding among family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer in a palliative treatment: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Benefit finding is the search for positive meaning from traumatic events, such as cancer. It can help caregivers have a positive experience in the caregiving process, relieve negative emotions, and reduce caregiving stress. The aim of this study was to explore benefit finding among caregivers of patients with advanced cancer in their palliative caregiving journey. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative design of phenomenology was used. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 19 caregivers of palliative care patients with advanced cancer. The Colaizzi 7-step analysis was used to analyse, summarize, and extract themes from the interview data. RESULTS: The study identified five themes of caregiver benefit finding in the caregiving process: personal growth, strengthened relationships with patients, adjustment and adaptation, perceived social support, and perceived meaning in life. Most caregivers reported a closer, more dependent relationship with the patient, and only one caregiver did not report any positive changes. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers of palliative care patients with advanced cancer can have positive experiences in their care. Healthcare professionals should focus on supporting caregivers and helping them find positive experiences to cope with the challenges of caregiving and improve their quality of life.

Latent profile analysis of benefit finding among family caregivers of Chinese older adults with disabilities and its influencing factors.

OBJECTIVES: The increase in the number of older adults with disability creates new challenges for caregivers. Benefit finding is the positive experience that caregivers get from caregiving, helping to reduce the negative impact on the caregiver's quality of life. However, there is less research on the positive experiences of family caregivers of older adults with disabilities. This study aimed to identify different benefit finding profiles among family caregivers of older adults with disabilities in China and to explore the sociodemographic characteristics and psychosocial factors with different benefit finding profiles. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 218 family caregivers of Chinese older adults with disabilities using the sociodemographic questionnaire, the Family-APGAR, the Sense of Coherence-13, the Emotion Regulation Scale and Benefit Finding Scale from October 2022 to June 2023 in communities and hospitals of China, Shenyang, Liaoning Province. Latent profile analysis was used to analyze the latent profiles of benefit finding among family caregivers of Chinese older adults with disability. Multiple logistic regression was used to explore the predictors of different profiles. RESULTS: The benefit finding among family caregivers of Chinese older adults with disability can be classified into three potential profiles: Profile 1 - high-level benefit finding group (12.84%), Profile 2 - medium-level benefit finding group (43.58%), Profile 3 - low-level benefit finding group (43.58%). Working status, family function, and cognitive reappraisal of caregiver were predictors of different profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses and community health care staffs should pay attention to the characteristics, family function, and emotion regulation strategies of family caregivers of older adults with different disability. Help family caregivers enhance family cohesion and cognitive reappraisal to improve positive experiences for caregivers in different profiles.

Benefit finding in men affected by prostate cancer prior to and following radical prostatectomy - a cross-sectional study with a stratified sample.

BACKGROUND: Benefit finding (BF) - the occurrence of positive life-changes in the aftermath of traumatic live events - has been repeatedly reported in prostate cancer (PCa) survivors, but it remains unclear in which way BF might vary over time. The current study aimed to investigate the extent of BF and associated factors in different phases of the survivorship continuum. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, men affected by PCa who were either already treated with radical prostatectomy or going to be treated with radical prostatectomy at a large German PCa center were included. These men were stratified into four groups (prior to surgery, up to 12 months after surgery, 2-5 years and ≥ 6-10 years after surgery). BF was assessed using the German version of the 17-item Benefit Finding Scale (BFS). The items are rated on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5. A total mean score ≥ 3 was considered as moderate-to-high BF. Associations with clinical and psychological factors were assessed in men presenting before and in those who participated after surgery. Multiple linear regression was applied to identify intendent determinants of BF. RESULTS: 2,298 men affected by PCa (mean age at survey: 69.5,SD = 8.2; median follow-up: 3 years (25th -75th percentile 0.5-7)) were included. 49.6% of men reported moderate-to-high BF. The mean BF score was 2.91 (SD = 0.92). BF reported by men before surgery did not differ significantly from BF reported by men in the years after surgery (p = 0.56). Higher BF prior to and following radical prostatectomy was associated with higher perceived severity of the disease (pre-surgery: ß = 0.188, p = 0.008; post-surgery: ß = 0.161, p = < 0.0001) and higher cancer-related distress (pre-surgery: ß ? 0.155, p = 0.03; post-surgery: ß = 0.089, p < 0.0001). Post radical prostatectomy BF was also associated with biochemical recurrence during follow-up (ß = 0.089, p = 0.001), and higher quality of life (ß = 0.124, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Many men affected by PCa perceive BF already soon after diagnosis. The subjective perception of threat or severity associated with the diagnosis of PCa is an essential factor for higher levels of BF, probably more important than objective indicators of the severity of the disease. The early onset of BF and the high degree of similarity of BF reported across the different phases of survivorship suggests that BF is, to a large extent, a dispositional personal characteristic and a cognitive strategy of positively coping with cancer.

Benefit finding, posttraumatic growth and health-related quality of life in long-term cancer survivors: a prospective population-based study.

BACKGROUND: We explored the relationship between benefit finding (BF)/posttraumatic growth (PTG) at baseline and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at baseline and follow-up in long-term cancer survivors (LTCS; ≥5-year post-diagnosis). MATERIALS AND METHODS: HRQOL was assessed in LTCS in 2009-2011 (5- to 16-year post-diagnosis, baseline) and re-assessed in 2018/2019 (14- to 24-year post-diagnosis, follow-up). BF and PTG were measured at baseline; mean scores were dichotomized into 'none-to-low' (<3) and 'moderate-to-high' (> =3). Linear regression models and linear mixed regression models were employed to assess the association of BF/PTG with HRQOL. RESULTS: Of the 6057 baseline participants, 4373 were alive in 2019, of whom 2704 completed the follow-up questionnaire. Cross-sectionally, LTCS with none-to-low BF reported better HRQOL at baseline and at follow-up than LTCS with higher BF. Longitudinally, no difference was found between none-to-low and moderate-to-high BF on the HRQOL change from baseline to follow-up. HRQOL differences between the PTG groups were not statistically significant cross-sectionally and longitudinally, except those participants with moderate-to-high PTG reported higher role functioning and global health status/QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-sectionally, BF was significantly negatively related to subscales of HRQOL, while PTG was positively correlated to role functioning and global health status/QOL. The results add further evidence that BF and PTG are two different positive psychological concepts.

Association between the patients' symptom burden and their family caregivers' benefit finding in non-small cell lung cancer receiving combined chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between the patients' symptom burden and their family caregivers' benefit finding in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving combined chemotherapy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study on 181 NSCLC patients receiving combined chemotherapy and their family caregivers was conducted at two comprehensive hospitals from December 2021 to August 2022 in China. The patients completed the self-designed questionnaire, The Chinese Version of M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) and Lung Cancer Module of the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-LC), while caregivers completed the self-designed questionnaire, Benefit Finding Scale (BFS). RESULTS: The mean symptom burden score of NSCLC patients receiving combined chemotherapy was 71.55 (SD = 22.19), and the median score of fatigue was 6 (IQR, 4, 7). Fatigue was the most severe symptom. The mean benefit finding score of family caregivers was 56.09 (SD = 16.25). Among the dimensions of the benefit finding scale, the personal growth dimension scored the highest. The mean score of personal growth dimension was 18.31 (SD = 5.47). The scores of symptom burden of NSCLC patients and the benefit finding of family caregivers were significantly different in patients' clinical data: stage of tumor, tumor metastasis, duration of illness, self-care ability, leukocyte count (WBC), blood platelet (PLT), hemoglobin content (Hb), Na+ concentration, and K+ concentration (P < 0.05). The symptom burden of NSCLC patients with combined chemotherapy was adversely correlated with the benefit finding of family caregivers (r = - 0.609 ~ - 0.151, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The symptom burden of patients is adversely correlated with the benefit finding of family caregivers in NSCLC receiving combined chemotherapy; the lighter the symptom burden of patients, the higher the benefit finding of family caregivers. Therefore, appropriate nursing measures should be taken for fatigue, lack of appetite, and other symptoms. A variety of ways should be taken to promote family caregivers to participate in patient symptom management, so as to achieve the goal of reducing the burden of patients' symptoms and improving the level of family caregivers' benefit finding.

Prostate cancer peer navigation: an observational study on navigators' well-being, benefit finding, and program satisfaction.

PURPOSE: The study investigated peer and caregiver navigators' motivations for providing support, i.e., benefit finding, their mental and physical health, and program satisfaction. METHODS: A web-based peer navigation program was conducted for prostate cancer patients and caregivers over a 6-month time period. In a one-arm observational study, peer and caregiver navigators were asked to complete standardized mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Cancer Worry Scale), quality of life (EQ-5D-5L, EQ-VAS), and social support (ENRICHD Social Support Instrument) scales pre- and post-intervention and questionnaires addressing motivations, benefits, and program satisfaction post-intervention. RESULTS: Both peer and caregiver navigators reported very low anxiety and depressive symptoms across time. Cancer worry increased over time with 25% of participants exceeding the symptom threshold at baseline and 33% at follow-up. Quality of life was very high but slightly decreased over time (90.0% vs. 84.4%; p = .005), indicative of a greater number of navigators reporting pain/discomfort at follow-up. Social support was high (86.9% vs. 85.9%) and remained so. Top five role endorsements were (1) a feeling of belonging, (2) being involved in something good, (3) giving back, (4) feeling better as a person, and (5) improved communication skills. Program satisfaction was very high with support from program staff rated highest. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates that peer and caregiver navigators exhibited favorable physical and mental health across time. Furthermore, they experienced several benefits from navigation including a sense of meaning and the wish to give back. Results suggest that support provision within the peer and caregiver navigation program has also salutary effects for navigators.

Association between self-disclosure and benefit finding of Chinese cancer patients caregivers: the mediation effect of coping styles.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between self-disclosure, coping styles, and benefit finding (BF) among caregivers of cancer patients. The study also aimed to identify the factors influencing BF and the impact of coping styles on the relationship between self-disclosure and BF. METHODS: Convenience sampling was used to select 300 caregivers of cancer patients aged greater than 18 years from October 2022 to April 2023 in Chengdu, China. The demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the Benefit Finding Scale (BFS), the Distress Disclosure Index Scale (DDI), and the Simple Coping Style Scale (SCSQ) for caregivers were included in this study. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression models were used. The effect of mediation was tested by the PROCESS macro (Model 4) for SPSS 26.0 by Hayes using 5000 bootstrap samples. RESULTS: There were 292 valid questionnaires (effective response rate 97.33%). The total scores of BF, self-disclosure, negative coping style, and positive coping style of caregivers were 67.77 ± 14.78, 38.23 ± 8.59, 19.68 ± 5.98, and 9.88 ± 4.18, respectively; Pearson's correlation analysis showed that BF was positively correlated with self-disclosure, positive coping, and negatively correlated with negative coping; multiple linear regression analysis showed that self-disclosure, positive coping, and negative coping were influential factors of BF. The results revealed that the effect of self-disclosure on BF was partly mediated by coping styles. It also confirmed that the mediation effect accounted for 54.03% of the total effect. CONCLUSION: The BF of caregivers is at a moderate level. Self-disclosure may influence BF partly because of coping styles.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms and benefit finding: a longitudinal study among Italian health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: Research has highlighted that the exposure of healthcare professionals to the COVID-19 pandemic for over two years can lead to the development and persistence of symptoms characteristic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with serious consequences on both the individual well-being and the quality of care provided. The present study was aimed at investigating the role of benefit finding in moderating post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) over time. METHODS: The longitudinal study, conducted between April and October 2020, involved 226 Italian health workers (44.7% nurses and midwives, 35% doctors, 20.3% technical and rehabilitation professionals), who filled out an online survey at the beginning of the study (T1), after three months (T2), and after six months (T3). Participants (77.4% women; mean age = 41.93, SD = 12.06) completed the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and Benefit Finding, a 17-item questionnaire measuring the perceived level of positive consequences derived from stressful experiences. A hierarchical regression analysis highlighted the moderating effect of benefit finding (T2) on the association between PTSS values at T1 and T3. RESULTS: A buffering effect was observed, with higher benefit finding levels reducing the magnitude of the bivariate association between PTSS assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest the potential mental health related benefits of interventions allowing health professionals to identify positive aspects in the experience of working under prolonged emergency circumstances, such as the pandemic ones.

Benefit-finding buffers the effects of home confinement and centralized quarantine (HCCQ) on late midlife and older adults' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: Older adults' well-being may suffer due to prolonged social isolation leading to loneliness and increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study aimed to address the role of benefit-finding, defined as the capacity to derive meaning and positive aspects from stressful situations, in late midlife and older adults' adaptation to the effects of home confinement and centralized quarantine (HCCQ).Methods: 421 participants aged 50 or above in mainland of China participated in an online survey to study the effects of HCCQ on loneliness, stress, anxiety, depression and life satisfaction, as well as the moderating role of benefit-finding.Results: Correlational analysis showed that a history of HCCQ was basically unrelated to any outcome. However, the effect actually varied by levels of benefit-finding. Among late midlife and older people with lower benefit-finding, those who had experienced HCCQ reported more loneliness, perceived stress, as well as more anxiety and depressive symptoms; no such relationships were found when benefit-finding was moderate or high.Conclusion: The findings extended our understanding of the role of benefit-finding in buffering the negative impact of adversity. By mitigating the effects of prolonged social isolation, benefit-finding served as a protective factor in late midlife and older people's adaptation to the sequelae of this pandemic.

Family function, self-efficacy, care hours per day, closeness and benefit finding among stroke caregivers in China: A moderated mediation model.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the moderated mediation mechanism of the relationships among family function, self-efficacy, care hours per day, closeness and benefit finding in family caregivers of patients with stroke in China. BACKGROUND: Benefit finding can provide a new means of resolving depression among family members caring for an ill loved one. However, current research has paid little attention to the benefit finding of family caregivers of stroke patients in China. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: Three hundred fifty family caregivers of patients with stroke were recruited from community service centres and hospitals in Zhengzhou, China. The participants completed the family APGAR index, caregiver benefit finding scale and Chinese general self-efficacy scale during a study conducted in 2017. Descriptive analyses and a moderated mediation model were computed. Reporting adhered to the STROBE checklist. RESULTS: A total of 311 family caregivers completed this study. Closeness between family caregivers and patients with stroke moderated the relationship between family function and caregiver benefit finding. Self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between family function and caregiver benefit finding; moreover, care hours per day moderated the mediation. CONCLUSION: This study shows important factors associated with benefit finding in family caregivers of patients with stroke. This indicates elements that could help improve benefit finding intervention programmes for family caregivers of patients with stroke. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings in our study provide valuable information on benefit finding and indicate some interventions to improve the mental health of family caregivers of stroke patients.

Limitations of benefit finding as a coping mechanism for combat-related PTSD symptoms.

Benefit finding has been identified as a buffer of the combat exposure-PTSD symptom link in soldiers. However, benefit finding may have a limited buffering capacity on the combat-PTSD symptom link over the course of a soldier's post-deployment recovery period. In the present study, soldiers returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) were surveyed at two different time periods post-deployment: Time 1 was 4 months post-deployment (n = 1,510), and Time 2 was at 9 months post-deployment (n = 783). The surveys assessed benefit finding, PTSD symptoms, and combat exposure. Benefit finding was a successful buffer of the cross-sectional relationship between combat exposure and PTSD reexperiencing symptoms at Time 1, but not at Time 2. In addition, the benefit finding by combat interaction at time 1 revealed that greater benefit finding was associated with higher symptoms under high combat exposure at Time 2 after controlling for PTSD arousal symptoms at Time 1. The results of the present study indicate that benefit finding may have a buffering capacity in the immediate months following a combat deployment, but also indicates that more time than is allotted during the post-deployment adjustment period is needed to enable recovery from PTSD. Theoretical implications are discussed.

Are Care-Recipient Outcomes Attributable to Improved Caregiver Well-Being? A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial of Benefit-Finding Intervention.

OBJECTIVES: The benefit-finding therapeutic (BFT) intervention, training cognitive reappraisal, and alternative thinking to construct positive aspects of caregiving have been found to reduce caregiver depression. This study examines BFT effects on care-recipient outcomes via reduced caregiver depression. DESIGN: Cluster-randomized double-blind controlled trial. SETTING: Social centers and clinics. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 129 caregivers. Inclusion criteria were 1) primary caregiver aged 18+, 2) without cognitive impairment, 3) providing ≥14 care hours weekly to a relative with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, and 4) scoring ≥3 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Exclusion criterion was care-recipient having Parkinsonism or other forms of dementia. INTERVENTIONS: BFT was evaluated against two forms of psychoeducation-standard and simplified (lectures only) psychoeducation. MEASUREMENTS: Care-recipient outcomes included neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), functional impairment, and global dementia severity (Clinical Dementia Rating sum-of-box), measured at baseline, postintervention, and 4- and 10-month follow up. RESULTS: Mixed-effects regressions showed a significant effect on NPS when compared with simplified psychoeducation only, with BFT participants reporting fewer NPS (especially mood symptoms) at 4-month follow-up (d = -0.52). Furthermore, longitudinal path analysis (using changes in caregiver depression scores at postintervention to predict changes in care-recipient NPS at follow-up) found that this effect was mediated by improved caregiver depression. No other intervention or mediation effects were found or were consistent across analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Less depressed caregivers may be able to provide better care and more positive interactions, leading to reduced NPS in care-recipients. However, this benefit of BFT was limited to the comparison with simplified psychoeducation only.

Factors associated with benefit finding and mental health of patients with cancer: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: This systematic review was performed to identify the association between benefit finding (BF) and anxiety, depression, and distress, as well as to find factors related to BF in adult cancer patients. METHODS: Five English databases and four Chinese databases were searched to identify eligible articles about BF in adult cancer patients from inception to 4 July 2021. Literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were carried out by two reviewers independently according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Qualitative synthesis was used to summarize the results. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies involving 9601 cancer patients were included in this study. Qualitative analysis showed that BF was negatively related to anxiety, depression, and distress. Factors associated with BF included sociodemographic factors, disease-related factors, and psychological and environmental factors. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers should pay attention to the summarized factors of BF and construct intervention programs based on the controllable factors to improve BF in adult cancer patients, thus promoting the recovery of patients.

Optimism and symptoms of anxiety and depression among Chinese women with breast cancer: the serial mediating effect of perceived social support and benefit finding.

OBJECTIVE: This research examines the direct and indirect relationships between optimism, perceived social support (PSS), benefit finding (BF), and anxiety and depressive symptoms among Chinese women with breast cancer (BC). METHODS: We recruited 512 patients, aged averagely 47.46(SD = 8.51) years from two hospitals located in Hunan province, China. The variables were assessed using the Optimism-Pessimism Scale (OPS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Benefit Finding Scale (BFS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Path analyses were conducted by Amos version 24.0 for Windows to test the hypothesized serial mediation model. RESULTS: Path analyses suggest a significant negative association between optimism and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The relationship was mediated by BF (ß = -0.085, SE = 0.015, 95% CI [-0.126, -0.055]), and by BF together with PSS (ß = -0.027, SE = 0.007, 95% CI [-0.047, -0.017]). The difference comparison between the two indirect effects was significant (ß = 0.057, SE = 0.015, 95% CI [0.034,0.101]). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that PSS, and BF are important mediators through which optimism may buffer symptoms of anxiety and depression among Chinese BC patients. Clinicians and healthcare practitioners should be aware of the importance of patients' emotional health and endeavor to offer emotional support, facilitate their capacity to improve their quality of life.

Effects of A Benefit-Finding Intervention in Stroke Caregivers in Communities.

Objectives: To verify the effectiveness and feasibility of a nine-week benefit-finding intervention on the burden, quality of life, and benefit finding of caregivers, as well as on the quality of life of stroke survivors.Methods: Benefit finding refers to the individual, social, psychological and spiritual benefits perceived by an individual experiencing stress or post-traumatic events. A randomized controlled trial was performed in which 68 stroke survivors and their caregivers were recruited from the Zhengzhou community, China, and randomly split into two groups. The intervention group included those having undergone a nine-week benefit-finding intervention, while the control group included those individuals having undergone a nine-week routine health education. At baseline and one-week post-intervention (after a 9-week intervention), the quality of life of stroke survivors and caregivers and the burden and benefit finding of caregivers were determined.Results: In comparison to the control group, caregiver benefit finding, quality of life, burden, and stroke survivor quality of life were significantly improved (P <.005).Conclusions: The intervention appears to be feasible for stroke patients and caregivers. The intervention is capable of improving the quality of life of caregivers and survivors, increasing the benefit finding of caregivers and reducing the burden of caregivers.Clinical Implications: The benefit-finding intervention is capable of improving the health condition of stroke patients and caregivers.

Distress mediates the relationship between cognitive appraisal of medical care and benefit finding/posttraumatic growth in long-term cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to ascertain long-term cancer survivors' (LTCS') appraisal of medical care and how these perceptions may influence their health and well-being, including benefit finding (BF) and posttraumatic growth (PTG). METHODS: In total, 6952 LTCS from a multiregional population-based study in Germany completed the Benefit Finding Scale, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Questionnaire on Stress in Cancer, and self-designed questions on cognitive appraisal of medical care. The authors explored the mediating role of distress between medical care appraisal and BF and PTG and the possible moderation of time since diagnosis in this relationship. RESULTS: LTCS' medical care appraisals ("no unresolved/untreated symptoms," "satisfaction with cancer care," and "satisfaction with care for other diseases") were positively associated with BF. PTG was positively associated with "no unresolved/untreated symptoms" and negatively associated with "satisfaction with care for other diseases." Cancer distress partially mediated the associations between appraisals of medical care and BF, between "no unresolved/untreated symptoms" and PTG and between "satisfaction with care for other diseases" and PTG; whereas it totally mediated the association between "satisfaction with cancer care" and PTG. Time was a significant moderator in the model; the negative indirect effect of cognitive appraisal on BF and PTG through cancer distress weakened with longer time since diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer survivors' medical care appraisal is associated with their perceptions of BF and PTG through distress. Therefore, distress screening could be part of the regular workup to identify distressed cancer survivors who are not satisfied with medical care; these survivors may benefit from interventions to reduce distress and increase BF and PTG.