Leonidou Chrysanthi, Giannousi Zoe
Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Panepistimiou Avenue 1, 2109 Aglantzia, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center, Acropoleos Avenue 32, Strovolos, 2006 Nicosia, Cyprus.
Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2018 Feb;32:25-32. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2017.11.002. Epub 2017 Nov 25.
Family caregivers of cancer patients often face strains within their role and report various unmet needs. The aim of this qualitative study was to examine metastatic cancer caregivers' experiences within their role.
A cross-sectional study using focus group interviews with caregivers of metastatic cancer patients (n = 17) recruited from an oncology hospital in Cyprus was conducted. Data were analysed following the content analysis approach with inductive coding for the development of themes.
Content analysis identified four categories of themes, which were further divided into sub-categories: difficulties in their role as caregivers, impact of cancer diagnosis on interpersonal relationships, support and strength resources and unmet needs. Findings replicated existing evidence regarding caregiving difficulties and unmet needs in caregivers with a different cultural background and provided further evidence for similarities and variations within caregiving experiences relating mostly to caregiver-patient relationships. Caregivers also highlighted coping and support resources that they effectively use for better adjustment to their role.
The identified variations in experiences in relation to participants' characteristics, in addition to the information about preferred by caregivers coping and support resources provide a direction for future efforts to develop interventions for this population.
癌症患者的家庭照顾者在其角色中常常面临压力，并报告各种未得到满足的需求。这项定性研究的目的是考察转移性癌症照顾者在其角色中的经历。
采用横断面研究，对从塞浦路斯一家肿瘤医院招募的转移性癌症患者照顾者（n = 17）进行焦点小组访谈。采用内容分析法并进行归纳编码以形成主题，对数据进行分析。
内容分析确定了四类主题，这些主题进一步细分为子类别：作为照顾者角色中的困难、癌症诊断对人际关系的影响、支持和力量资源以及未得到满足的需求。研究结果重复了关于不同文化背景照顾者照顾困难和未得到满足需求的现有证据，并为照顾经历中的异同提供了进一步证据，这些异同主要与照顾者 - 患者关系有关。照顾者还强调了他们有效用于更好地适应其角色的应对和支持资源。
除了照顾者偏好的应对和支持资源信息外，所确定的与参与者特征相关的经历差异为未来针对这一人群制定干预措施的努力提供了方向。
