Burden and Quality of Life in Main Caregivers of Cancer Patients Treated with Chemotherapy

화학요법을 받는 암환자 주보호자의 부담감과 삶의 질

  • Na, Duck-Mi (Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chosun University) ;
  • Chung, Young (Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chosun University) ;
  • Yang, Kyung-Mi (Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chosun University)
  • 나덕미 (조선대학교 의과대학 간호학과) ;
  • 정영 (조선대학교 의과대학 간호학과) ;
  • 양경미 (조선대학교 의과대학 간호학과)
  • Published : 2003.12.01

Abstract

Purpose: This is a descriptive correlation study purposed to provide basic data for comprehensive nursing care by analyzing the relationship between the burden and the quality of life of family caregivers of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Methods: As for the subjects of this study, 66 family caregivers who take care of cancer patients hospitalized and treated with chemotherapy participated in the research. The tool of this study was a structured questionnaire including questions concerning burden(19 items) and the quality of life(33 items). Collected data were analyzed using SPSS PC+ program through descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple linear regression. Results: 1) The mean score of burden was 2.6383. The mean score of quality of life was 3.3034. These score show that family caregivers perceive a moderate level of burden and the quality of life. 2) Family caregivers' burden was significantly related to symptoms in the cancer patient (r= 0.3501, P=0.0042) and family caregivers(r= 0.5340, P=0.0001). Family caregivers' quality of life was significantly related to symptoms in the cancer patient(r= -0.3528, P=0.0039) and family caregivers(r= -0.5472, P=0.0001). According to the result of examining' the relationship between burden and the quality of life, there was a statistically negative correlation(r= -0.6326, P=0.0001). 3) 'Family income after the onset of the patient' was the most important predictor of the burden of family caregivers($R^2$=0.158). 'Usual relationship with the patient' was the most important predictor of the quality of life of family caregivers($R^2$=0.138). Conclusions: The results presented above indicate that we must consider burden of family caregivers and symptoms experienced by them in order to improve the quality of life of family caregivers of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.

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