Back to Search
Start Over
Caring through uncertainty: a qualitative exploration of older colorectal cancer caregivers' experiences during palliative chemotherapy.
- Source :
-
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer [Support Care Cancer] 2024 Sep 10; Vol. 32 (10), pp. 649. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Sep 10. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Purpose: Despite the increasing research on cancer patient caregivers, there is still a lack of detailed understanding about the experiences of spouses caring for elderly colorectal cancer patients. This study aimed to fill this gap by examining the caregiving experiences of spouses during palliative chemotherapy for elderly Chinese colorectal cancer patients.<br />Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive design, we recruited spousal caregivers of elderly colorectal cancer patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy. Semistructured interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data.<br />Results: Sixteen caregivers aged 60 to 82 years participated in the interviews. The analysis revealed three main themes: ambivalence, multiple role adaptation to conflicts, and the coexistence of hope and pressure. These themes shed light on the behaviors of older caregivers and the challenges they face, including physical and psychosocial issues associated with aging.<br />Conclusion: This study highlights the significant stress and challenges experienced by older caregivers, characterized by intertwined emotions such as anxiety about their spouses' health deterioration, exhaustion from long-term care responsibilities, and anticipation of treatment outcomes.<br /> (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)
- Subjects :
- Humans
Aged
Female
Male
Middle Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Uncertainty
Spouses psychology
Adaptation, Psychological
Stress, Psychological etiology
Stress, Psychological psychology
Interviews as Topic
China
Caregivers psychology
Colorectal Neoplasms drug therapy
Colorectal Neoplasms psychology
Palliative Care methods
Palliative Care psychology
Qualitative Research
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1433-7339
- Volume :
- 32
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 39256232
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-08857-w