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Cited by 62Nursing care and researchCancer survivorship and carePalliative Care and End-of-Life Issues

Caring for a spouse with advanced cancer: similarities and differences for male and female caregivers

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Ketcher, Dana, Trettevik, Ryan, Vadaparampil, Susan T., Heyman, Richard E., Ellington, Lee, Reblin, Maija·2020·Journal of Behavioral Medicine
DOI 10.1007/s10865-019-00128-yPMC PMC8936415
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Abstract

Most caregiving literature has focused on women, who have traditionally taken on caregiving roles. However, more research is needed to clarify the mixed evidence regarding the impact of gender on caregiver/patient psychological outcomes, especially in an advanced cancer context. In this paper, we examine gender differences in caregiver stress, burden, anxiety, depression, and coping styles, as well as how caregiver gender impacts patient outcomes in the context of advanced cancer. Eighty-eight patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers completed psychosocial surveys. All couples were heterosexual and most caregivers were women (71.6%). Female caregivers reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and social strain compared with male caregivers, and female patients of male caregivers were more likely to use social support as a coping style compared with male patients of female caregivers. These findings highlight the potential differences between male and female caregivers' needs and psychological health.

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Authors
Ketcher, D., Trettevik, R., Vadaparampil, S. T., Heyman, R. E., Ellington, L., & Reblin, M.
Affiliations
  • Moffitt Cancer Center (US)
  • University of Utah (US)
  • New York University (US)
Corresponding author
Reblin, Maija
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2019-12-16
Volume
43
Issue
5
Pages
817-828
ISSN
  • 0160-7715 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-3521
DOI
10.1007/s10865-019-00128-y
PMC
PMC8936415
OpenAlex
W2995058642
Cited by
62
References
99
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4
FWCI
9.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Behavioral Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
American Cancer Society (MRSG 13-234-01-PCSM)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
Keywords
caregiver gender, advanced cancer, spousal caregiving, caregiver stress, caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, coping styles, social support, patient outcomes, gender differences, couples
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Neoplasms, Surveys and Questionnaires, Stress, Psychological, Caregivers, Spouses

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