Archetypal trajectories of social, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing and distress in family care givers of patients with lung cancer: secondary analysis of serial qualitative interviews.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess if family care givers of patients with lung cancer experience the patterns of social, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing and distress typical of the patient, from diagnosis to death.

Design

Secondary analysis of serial qualitative interviews carried out every three months for up to a year or to bereavement.

Setting

South east Scotland.

Participants

19 patients with lung cancer and their 19 family carers, totalling 88 interviews (42 with patients and 46 with carers).

Results

Carers followed clear patterns of social, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing and distress that mirrored the experiences of those for whom they were caring, with some carers also experiencing deterioration in physical health that impacted on their ability to

SUBMITTER: Murray SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2883691 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature