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Cited by 8Nursing care and researchCancer survivorship and careFamily Support in Illness

Challenges Facing Women Caring for a Spouse Having Cancer Treatment: A Critical Literature Review

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Mbozi, Patience, Ratcliff, Cathy, Roberts, Dave·2020·Open Journal of Nursing
DOI 10.4236/ojn.2020.101003
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Abstract

Introduction: Cancer affects patients and families, especially female spouses. Female carers are affected emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and physically. Challenges while caring for husbands with cancer include: higher stress; poorer health-related quality of life; emotional strain; impaired immune system; low appetite; high blood pressure; depression and anxiety. Female spousal carers also experience satisfaction that they rendered appropriate care to their spouse. Aim: To analyse challenges facing women caring for a spouse on cancer treatment. Method: Systematic critical literature review through CASP. Thematic analysis of data. Results: 16 studies met the inclusion criteria; 12 were selected by critical analysis. 4 themes emerged: “Quality of marital relationship”, “Effective communication”, “Carers” burden and need for support’, and “Coordination of care among providers”. Discussion: 4 themes are discussed in detail and related to literature outside the review. Conclusion: Women caring for a spouse on cancer treatment is affected by the cancer, symptoms, hospital admission and caring. They withhold information from their spouse to protect him. They have poor quality of life and poor health. HCP rarely recognize their role or needs.

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  • The review by Mbozi reported that female caregivers were neglected, not communicated about the diagnosis, and showed little to no empathy.

    “The review by Mbozi reported that the female caregivers were neglected, not communicated about the diagnosis, and overall showed little to no empathy [19].”

    From Exploring the Unmet Needs of Cancer Caregivers in India: A Cross-Sectional Survey (2024) · cites this paper as [19]

    The review’s “Communication within couples” summary says healthcare personnel tend to ignore female carers and inform only patients, supporting the neglect and lack-of-information claims. The “Communication barriers” section also describes information being given without adequate empathy. It does not say that female caregivers themselves showed little or no empathy; that reverses who was displaying empathy toward whom. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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Authors
Mbozi, P., Ratcliff, C., & Roberts, D.
Affiliations
  • Eden University (ZM)
  • Electro-Medical Measurement Systems (United Kingdom) (GB)
  • Oxford Brookes University (GB)
Corresponding author
Mbozi, Patience
ORCID
Venue
Open Journal of Nursing
Publisher
Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.
Published
2020
Volume
10
Issue
01
Pages
34-68
ISSN
  • 2162-5336 (ISSN-L)
  • 2162-5344
DOI
10.4236/ojn.2020.101003
OpenAlex
W3000217874
Cited by
8
References
48
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1
FWCI
1.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
Open Journal of Nursing (publishedVersion, cc-by)
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
cancer caregiving, caregiver burden, caregiver stress, care coordination, health-related quality of life, caregiver support

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