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Cited by 43Nursing care and researchCancer survivorship and careFamily Support in Illness

Variables associated with distress amongst informal caregivers of people with lung cancer: a systematic review of the literature

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Cochrane, Andy, Reid, Olivia, Woods, Siobhan, Gallagher, Pamela, Dunne, Simon·2021·Psycho-Oncology
DOI 10.1002/pon.5694
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Abstract

Objective: Informal caregivers of people with lung cancer often experience a substantial care burden and associated negative consequences due to the often‐contracted course of the disease. The objective of this review was to systematically examine the evidence on the factors associated with lung cancer caregiver distress. Methods: Five databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO and Web of Science) were searched for studies investigating factors associated with distress amongst caregivers of people with lung cancer. Empirical studies published up to July 2020 were included if they measured distress using a valid and reliable measure and examined its association with at least one other factor, with a sample of 50 or more caregivers. Results: Thirty publications describing 27 studies (16 cross‐sectional; 6 prospective; 8 intervention) involving 3744 caregivers (primarily spouse or adult child) were included. A narrative synthesis of the findings is presented due to heterogeneity in study design, variables measured and analyses conducted. Patient variables associated with greater distress included: stage of cancer and quality of spousal relationship. Caregiver variables associated with higher distress included: social support, coping strategies and self‐efficacy. Conclusions: Several variables were associated with distress amongst lung cancer caregivers. Understanding these variables could inform the development of interventions that will enable caregivers to care effectively while maintaining their own well‐being. Screening for distress among caregivers may identify those caregivers who would benefit from early intervention.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Cochrane, A., Reid, O., Woods, S., Gallagher, P., & Dunne, S.
Affiliations
  • Dublin City University (IE)
  • School of Psychology Dublin City University Dublin 9 Ireland
Corresponding author
Dunne, Simon
ORCID
Venue
Psycho-Oncology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2021-05-04
Volume
30
Issue
8
Pages
1246-1261
ISSN
  • 1057-9249 (ISSN-L)
  • 1099-1611
DOI
10.1002/pon.5694
OpenAlex
W3153544547
Cited by
43
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 1
FWCI
2.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Psycho-Oncology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Dublin City University Open Access Institutional Repository (Dublin City University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
Irish Cancer Society (STS19DUN)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Family Support in Illness
Keywords
lung cancer, informal caregivers, caregiver distress, caregiver burden, marital relationships, social support, coping strategies, self-efficacy, tumor stage, caregiver well-being, caregiver screening
MeSH terms
Cross-Sectional Studies, Humans, Lung Neoplasms, Prospective Studies, Quality of Life, Caregivers

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