Dynandcs in cancer caregiver's health over time: Gender-specific patterns and determinants |
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| Authors: | Chris Nijboer Reike Tempelaar Mattanja Triemstra Robert Sanderman Geertrudis A.M. van den Bos |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Center , University of Amsterdam;2. Department of Clinical Psychology , University of Groningen , Groningen, The Netherlands;3. The National Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Woerden , The Netherlands;4. Northern Centre for Healthcare Research , University of Groningen , Groningen, The Netherlands;5. Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Center , University of Amsterdam , The Netherlands;6. Department for Health Services Research , National Institute of Public Health and the Environment RIVM , Bilthoven, The Netherlands;7. Northern Centre for Healthcare Research , University of Groningen , Groningen;8. Department of Clinical Psychology , University of Groningen , Groningen, The Netherlands;9. Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Center , University of Amsterdam , The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | Abstract This study exandned patterns and determinants of three dimensions of caregiver's health of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients, i.e. physical, mental and social functioning (N= 148). Physical functioning declined within a 6-month period in female caregivers, while no change was observed in male caregivers. For mental and social functioning, an improvement was observed in male and female caregivers. Change in physical functioning was associated with gender, age, income and initial level. Change in mental functioning was predicted by initial status and positive as well as negative caregiver experiences. Change in social functioning was mainly predicted by initial level and change in patient's dependency. Physical and mental functioning showed the least favorable patterns in female caregivers. The study shows that caregiving may lead to positive health consequences, and underlines the importance of making a distinction between male and female caregivers and of studying caregiver outcomes by using multidimensional assessments. |
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| Keywords: | Cancer Caregivers Gender physical functioning mental functioning social functioning |
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