Effects of caregiving status and changes in depressive symptoms on development of physical morbidity among long-term cancer caregivers.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Cancer caregiving burden is known to vary across the survivorship trajectory and has been linked with caregivers' subsequent health impairment. Little is known, however, regarding how risk factors during long-term survivorship relate to vulnerability to caregivers' health during that period. This study examined effects of caregiving status and depressive symptoms on development of physical morbidity by 5 years postdiagnosis.

Method

Family caregivers (N = 491; Mage = 55.78) completed surveys at 2 (Time 1 [T1]) and 5 years (T2) after their care recipients' cancer diagnosis. Demographic and caregiving context variables known to affect caregivers' health were assessed at T1. Self-reported depressive symptoms and a list of physical morbid conditions were assessed at T1

SUBMITTER: Shaffer KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5551905 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature