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Psychosocial adjustment of family caregivers of head and neck cancer survivors

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Abstract

Purpose

This study examined the psychosocial adjustment and needs of family caregivers of head and neck cancer survivors at 6–24 months posttreatment.

Materials and methods

Family caregivers of head and neck cancer survivors (N=89) completed mailed questionnaires that assessed demographic variables, mental health, quality of life, and practical and informational needs.

Results

Thirty-eight percent of caregivers reported moderate to high distress. However, quality of life scores for the entire sample (N=89) were better than the scores reported in initial validation studies on caregivers of patients undergoing active cancer treatment. Greater time spent caregiving was associated with worse psychological well-being, but also more positive adaptation to caregiving. In addition, 39% of caregivers reported that all of their practical and informational needs were being met.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that research and clinical efforts are needed to address the psychosocial concerns of this population.

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Acknowledgments

This work is supported in part by a supplemental award (JO) to P30 CA08748 to conduct research focusing on cancer and family issues, 2 T32CA009461 (SR), and F32CA130600 (CM). The first and second authors contributed equally to this article. We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the physicians, nurses, and social workers of the MSKCC Head and Neck Disease Management Team and the participating family caregivers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Abbott Hall, Suite 1205, 710 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Stephanie Ross

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 641 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10022, USA

    Catherine E. Mosher, Victor Ronis-Tobin & Jamie S. Ostroff

  3. Psychological Centers, Inc., Center for Integrated Behavioral-Medical Health Care, 765 Allens Avenue, Providence, RI, 02905, USA

    Sandy Hermele

Authors
  1. Stephanie Ross
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  2. Catherine E. Mosher
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  3. Victor Ronis-Tobin
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  4. Sandy Hermele
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  5. Jamie S. Ostroff
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Correspondence to Catherine E. Mosher.

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Ross, S., Mosher, C.E., Ronis-Tobin, V. et al. Psychosocial adjustment of family caregivers of head and neck cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 18, 171–178 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0641-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0641-3

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