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Factors influencing loneliness in cancer caregivers: A longitudinal study
Author(s) -
Ross Alyson,
Perez Avery,
Wehrlen Leslie,
Lee Lena J.,
Yang Li,
Cox Robert,
Bevans Margaret,
Ding Alice,
Wiener Lori,
Wallen Gwenyth R.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.5477
Subject(s) - loneliness , psychological intervention , mental health , family caregivers , longitudinal study , psychology , clinical psychology , social support , medicine , gerontology , psychiatry , psychotherapist , pathology
Objective To describe levels of loneliness in cancer caregivers over a 6 month time period, and to examine factors that influence changes in loneliness in caregivers over time. Methods Prospective, repeated measures design was utilized to examine levels of loneliness and factors that influence loneliness in 129 family caregivers of individuals undergoing cancer treatment at three time points over a 6 month period. Measures included: PROMIS global health and sleep disturbance; NIH Toolbox loneliness, self‐efficacy and perceived stress; Family Care Inventory mutuality scale; and Caregiver Reaction Assessment. Results Approximately one third (30.2%, n = 39) of the caregivers had high levels of loneliness, and levels of loneliness did not change over the three time points ( P = .985). For any given time point, caregivers who were not married ( P = .008), not working ( P = .027), with worse mental health ( P = .015), more perceived‐stress ( P < .0001), and more caregiver burden ( P = .003) reported higher levels of loneliness. Conclusion This study provides guidance for clinicians attempting to identify at‐risk caregivers by confirming the findings of previous research that caregivers with higher burden, stress and in poor mental health are at increased risk for loneliness. This study provides preliminary evidence that continuing to work during the caregiving trajectory may be beneficial to caregivers by reducing levels of loneliness. Future research is needed to confirm these findings and to examine novel interventions to reduce loneliness in cancer caregivers.