Family caregivers of women with breast cancer in Iran report high psychological impact six months after diagnosis
- Författare
- Khanjari S, Langius-Eklöf A, Oskouie F, Sundberg K.
- Titel
- Family caregivers of women with breast cancer in Iran report high psychological impact six months after diagnosis
- Utgivningsår
- 2014
- Tidskrift
- Eur J Oncol Nurs
- Volym
- 18
- Häfte
- 6
- Sidor
- 630-5
- Sammanfattning
PURPOSE: To explore how family caregivers of women with breast cancer in Iran
describe the areas in life which are important to their quality of life (QoL),
and to determine which areas in life that are influenced by having a family
member with breast cancer.
METHODS: The study is descriptive and prospective. A total of 88 family
caregivers of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer were interviewed using the
Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL-DW) at a time
close to diagnosis and then again at 6 months after. Interviews were analyzed by
manifest inductive qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS: Areas related to the categories Own and Family health, and Relationships
were considered to be the most important to QoL. A majority of the family
caregivers reported that concerns categorised as Psychological impact had high
influence on QoL shortly after diagnosis and the following six months. Other
areas that were frequently mentioned at both time points were categorized as
Focus on family health, Concerns about the disease, and Change in family
relationship. Positive aspects in life were also reported as a consequence to the
breast cancer diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS: High psychological impact is a concern of family caregivers six
months after diagnosis of breast cancer. It is imperative that family caregivers
are given early attention, and the opportunity to express their perceptions and
needs, as this may lead to a better understanding of their experience, thus
providing guidance for supportive interventions.