Self-efficacy and coping style in relation to psychological distress and quality of life in informal caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer: a longitudinal study.
Support Care Cancer
; 31(2): 104, 2023 Jan 09.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36622506
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
In order to understand how informal caregivers of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients deal with the consequences of the disease, we investigated their self-efficacy and coping style in relation to symptoms of anxiety and depression (distress) and quality of life (QoL) over time. In addition, factors associated with self-efficacy and coping style were investigated.METHODS:
A total of 222 informal caregivers and their related HNC patients were prospectively followed as part from the multicenter cohort NETherlands QUality of life and Biomedical cohort studies In Cancer (NET-QUBIC). Self-efficacy and coping style were measured at baseline, and distress and QoL at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment.RESULTS:
Informal caregivers had a high level of self-efficacy comparable with patients. Caregivers used "seeking social support," "passive reacting," and "expression of emotions" more often than patients. Factors associated with self-efficacy and coping were higher age and lower education. Higher self-efficacy was related with better QoL and "active tackling" was associated with less depression symptoms. "Passive reacting" and "expression of emotions" were associated with higher psychological distress and reduced QoL.CONCLUSION:
Among informal caregivers of HNC patients, higher self-efficacy and "active tackling" were associated with better functioning over time, while "passive reacting" and "expression of negative emotions" were associated with worse functioning. Awareness of the differences in self-efficacy skills and coping and their relationship with QoL and psychological distress will help clinicians to identify caregivers that may benefit from additional support that improve self-efficacy and "active tackling" and reduce negative coping styles.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Angústia Psicológica
/
Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article