Kim Youngmee, Schulz Richard, Carver Charles S
Behavioral Research Center, American Cancer Society, 250 Williams Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
Psychosom Med. 2007 Apr;69(3):283-91. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e3180417cf4. Epub 2007 Apr 9.
To characterize the domains of benefit finding in caregiving among close family members of cancer survivors and to relate the domains of benefit finding in cancer caregiving to other psychosocial variables. Although cancer is a problem that involves the entire family, little is known about which caregivers of cancer survivors are likely to find meaning in their caregiving experience or about the relationship of benefit finding to caregivers' psychological adjustment.
A total of 896 family caregivers participated in the American Cancer Society Quality of Life Survey for Caregivers. Participating caregivers were primarily middle-aged (mean age = 54 years), educated (76% received > high school degree), and affluent (69% earned > or = $40,000 annual household income).
Six domains of benefit finding in caregiving were identified by principal axis factor analysis: acceptance, empathy, appreciation, family, positive self-view, and reprioritization. The comparison between six- and one-domain models of benefit finding demonstrated the superiority of the six-domain model. A series of hierarchical regression analyses showed that the domains of benefit finding were uniquely associated with life satisfaction and depression and that not all aspects of benefit finding in caregiving related to better adjustment. Specifically, coming to accept what happened and appreciating new relationships with others related to greater adaptation. Becoming more empathetic toward others and reprioritizing values related to greater symptoms of depression.
These findings suggest that caregivers may benefit from interventions that enhance their ability to accept their situation and find meaning in their caregiving experience, which may improve their satisfaction with life and reduce their depressive symptoms.
描述癌症幸存者近亲在照护过程中发现益处的领域，并将癌症照护中发现益处的领域与其他心理社会变量联系起来。尽管癌症是一个涉及整个家庭的问题，但对于哪些癌症幸存者的照护者可能会在其照护经历中找到意义，或者发现益处与照护者心理调适之间的关系，我们知之甚少。
共有896名家庭照护者参与了美国癌症协会照护者生活质量调查。参与调查的照护者主要为中年人（平均年龄 = 54岁），受过教育（76%拥有高中以上学历），且经济状况良好（69%家庭年收入超过或等于4万美元）。
通过主轴因子分析确定了照护中发现益处的六个领域：接纳、同理心、感恩、家庭、积极的自我认知和重新排序。六个领域模型与一个领域模型的比较表明六个领域模型更具优势。一系列层次回归分析表明，发现益处的领域与生活满意度和抑郁存在独特关联，且并非照护中发现益处的所有方面都与更好的调适有关。具体而言，接受所发生的事情并感恩与他人的新关系与更强的适应能力相关。对他人更具同理心和重新排序价值观与更多的抑郁症状相关。
这些发现表明，照护者可能会从增强其接受自身处境并在照护经历中找到意义能力的干预措施中受益，这可能会提高他们的生活满意度并减轻抑郁症状。
