Table 1.
Conceptual expansion of cancer family caregiving research 2000–2009.
| Concepts/variables: Weitzner et al. | Additional concepts/variables: 2000–2009 |
|---|---|
|
| |
|
Primary Stressors
| |
| Patient-related illness factors | Patient-related illness factors |
| Disease site | Type of treatment |
| Stage of illness | Nature of treatment |
| Prognosis | Treatment setting |
| Duration of illness | Medical costs |
| Treatment or disease-related symptoms | Limited or no health insurance |
| Symptom distress | Access to treatment and support |
| Immobility | Symptoms of |
| Dependency | anxiety, |
| Poor coping | cognitive impairment |
| Decreased social support | neuropsychiatric disorders |
| Behavioral problems (depression/agitation) | delirium |
| Pain | fatigue |
| Patient co-morbidities | |
|
| |
| Demands of caregiving | Demands of caregiving |
| Assisting with ADLs | Managing complex medication regimens |
| Managing symptoms and side effects | Maintaining nutrition |
| Handling patient behaviors and emotions | Managing chronic & acute conditions |
| Coordinating or administering treatments | Accessing community resources |
| Transportation | Navigating the health care system |
|
| |
|
Secondary Stressor or “Spillover Effects”
| |
| Role changes | Changes in relationships |
| Changes in family structure | Role overload |
| Financial & employment stress | Feelings of entrapment or isolation |
| Changes in caregiver self-concept | Lifestyle changes |
| Schedule disruption | Sleep disturbance |
| Caregiver fatigue | |
|
| |
|
Cognitive Appraisal
| |
| Distress appraisals | Distress appraisals |
| Burden | Caregiving strain & difficulty |
| Resentment | Perceived caregiving ability |
| Self-efficacy | Confidence |
| Competence | |
| Mastery | |
| Preparedness | |
| Needs | |
| Outlook for the future | |
| Uncertainty | |
| Hope/hopelessness | |
| Rewards & benefits of caregiving | |
|
| |
|
Cognitive and Behavioral Responses
| |
| Coping | Coping |
| Approach versus avoidance coping | Approach versus avoidance |
| Problem- versus emotion-focused | |
| Planning ahead | |
| Advance care planning | |
| Providing care | |
| Acquiring knowledge | |
| Developing skill | |
|
| |
|
Health & Well-Being
| |
| Overall quality of life | Mental health |
| Mental health | Anxiety |
| Depression | Mood disturbance/emotional distress |
| Other mental disorders | Emotional adjustment |
| Physical health | Emotional distress |
| Self-rated health | Guilt |
| Use of prescription medications | Panic disorder |
| Immune function | Posttraumatic stress disorder |
| Wound healing | Unresolved or complicated grief |
| Blood pressure | Physical health |
| Lipid profiles | Natural killer cell activity |
| Mastery | Heart rate |
| Marital Adjustment | Excretion of urinary proteins |
| Effects on bereavement | Health-related quality of life |
| Positive aspects of caregiving | Life satisfaction, meaning, adjustment |
| Growth & satisfaction | Personal growth |
| Increased closeness or intimacy | Sense of accomplishment |
| Opportunity to repay care received | Increased intimacy |
| Increased intimacy | Peace |
| Increased meaning or purpose | |