Journal
CURRENT ONCOLOGY
Volume 28, Issue 4, Pages 2950-2960Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/curroncol28040258
Keywords
attachment; caregivers in cancer; ovarian cancer; distress
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This study found that caregivers of patients with ovarian cancer experience distress related to caregiving difficulties within cancer care, particularly influenced by attachment insecurity and experiences with cancer care. Lack of time for social relations as a result of caregiving significantly predicted depression and anxiety. Attachment anxiety correlated with depression and anxiety, while attachment avoidance did not play a significant role in distress outcomes.
Caregivers of patients with ovarian cancer experience distress related to caregiving difficulties within cancer care. Attachment insecurity is a well-known protector of distress, particularly as it relates to support from others. Using multivariate analyses, this study sought to determine the contribution of attachment insecurity and experiences with cancer care on symptoms of depression and anxiety, and investigated whether attachment insecurity moderated the relationship between caregiving experiences and distress. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses were conducted as part of a larger cross-sectional questionnaire study of distress among partners of patients with ovarian cancer. Participants (n = 82) were predominantly male, white, had household incomes over $100,000 and postsecondary education. Caregiving experiences explained 56% of the variance in depression, and 28% of the variance in anxiety. Specifically, lack of time for social relations as a result of caregiving significantly predicted depression and anxiety. Attachment anxiety correlated with both depression and anxiety, but attachment avoidance did not. Neither attachment anxiety nor attachment avoidance significantly contributed to distress variance, and neither moderated any of the relationships between caregiving experiences and distress outcomes. This study highlights the importance for cancer care to recognize the effect of caregiving responsibilities upon caregivers' mental health, regardless of vulnerability to distress.
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