TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-efficacy and coping style in relation to psychological distress and quality of life in informal caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer
T2 - a longitudinal study
AU - van Hof, Kira S
AU - Hoesseini, Arta
AU - Verdonck-de Leeuw, Irma M
AU - Jansen, Femke
AU - Leemans, C René
AU - Takes, Robert P
AU - Terhaard, Chris H J
AU - Baatenburg de Jong, Robert J
AU - Sewnaik, Aniel
AU - Offerman, Marinella P J
N1 - © 2023. The Author(s).
PY - 2023/1/9
Y1 - 2023/1/9
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Adaptation, Psychological
KW - Caregivers/psychology
KW - Coping
KW - Head and Neck Neoplasms
KW - Head and neck cancer
KW - Humans
KW - Informal caregivers
KW - Longitudinal Studies
KW - Psychological Distress
KW - Quality of Life/psychology
KW - Quality of life
KW - Self Efficacy
KW - Self-efficacy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85145957514&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-07553-x
DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-07553-x
M3 - Article
C2 - 36622506
SN - 0941-4355
VL - 31
SP - 104
JO - Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
JF - Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
IS - 2
M1 - 104
ER -