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Caregivers' anxiety and self‐efficacy in palliative care
Author(s) -
Mystakidou K.,
Parpa E.,
Panagiotou I.,
Tsilika E.,
Galanos A.,
Gouliamos A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ecc.12012
Subject(s) - medicine , palliative care , anxiety , nursing , family medicine , psychiatry
MYSTAKIDOU K., PARPA E., PANAGIOTOU I., TSILIKA E., GALANOS A. & GOULIAMOS A. (2012) European Journal of Cancer Care 22 , 188–195 Caregivers' anxiety and self‐efficacy in palliative care This study examined the relationship between caregivers' anxiety supporting a patient with advanced cancer and self‐efficacy and their socio‐demographic characteristics, and then whether these variables could influence their self‐efficacy. One hundred and seven caregivers of advanced cancer patients participated in the study and completed the Greek versions of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the General Perceived Self‐efficacy Scale (GSE). Significant comparisons were found between State anxiety and female gender ( P = 0.009), cohabitation ( P = 0.002) and relationship with the patient ( P = 0.004); statistically significant associations were found between State, Trait anxiety and self‐efficacy scores of caregivers ( P < 0.0005 respectively). A multiple regression model (enter method) showed women ( P = 0.005), spouses ( P = 0.01) and self‐efficacy ( P = 0.02) as the significant predictors of State anxiety. Furthermore, self‐efficacy seemed to be the strongest contributor of trait anxiety ( P < 0.0005). Female caregivers and spouses of advanced cancer patients experience more state anxiety levels than men and other caregivers respectively. In addition, caregivers with low self‐efficacy are more likely to have elevated anxiety scores than self‐efficacious caregivers. These findings can help healthcare professionals focus on some problems common to caregivers of cancer patients and plan appropriate interventions.