Abstract
Purpose
Researchers have recently called for more work to be conducted on positive outcomes and head and neck cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with posttraumatic growth in head and neck cancer caregivers.
Methods and sample
197 carers were surveyed. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used.
Results
In multivariate analysis the following factors were statistically significantly associated with increased posttraumatic growth: social support, longer time since diagnosis, increased worry about cancer and increased financial stress and strain stemming from caring.
Conclusions
While HNC carers in the post-treatment phase of the illness trajectory can experience considerable psychological burdens, this study suggests that these burdens can lead some carers to experience growth and change and an expanded sense of themselves and their social worlds. Implications for nursing practice are discussed.
Researchers have recently called for more work to be conducted on positive outcomes and head and neck cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with posttraumatic growth in head and neck cancer caregivers.
Methods and sample
197 carers were surveyed. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used.
Results
In multivariate analysis the following factors were statistically significantly associated with increased posttraumatic growth: social support, longer time since diagnosis, increased worry about cancer and increased financial stress and strain stemming from caring.
Conclusions
While HNC carers in the post-treatment phase of the illness trajectory can experience considerable psychological burdens, this study suggests that these burdens can lead some carers to experience growth and change and an expanded sense of themselves and their social worlds. Implications for nursing practice are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 31-37 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | European Journal of Oncology Nursing |
| Volume | 21 |
| Early online date | 5 Jan 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2016 |
Keywords
- Head & neck cancer
- Carer
- Posttraumatic growth
- Psychosocial
Access to Document
- Final published version
This is the author accepted manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via Elsevier at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S146238891530048X. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.