title: Patterns of caregiver experiences among partners of cancer patients.
abstract: This study describes patterns of caregiving experiences in partners of patients with cancer (N=148) over a 6-month period. Caregiving experiences were assessed by means of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment Scale (CRA), which consists of four negative dimensions and one positive subscale: Disrupted Schedule, Financial Problems, Lack of Family Support, Loss of Physical Strength, and Self-Esteem. Subgroup analyses were performed according to gender, age, and socioeconomic status (SES). Type, size, and direction of changes in caregiving experiences over time were analyzed both at a group level and at an individual level. Patterns of caregiver experiences appeared to vary between the subgroups; women, younger caregivers, and caregivers with a higher SES experienced caregiving more negatively or less positively. The findings illustrate the value of studying inter- and intraindividual patterns across different subgroups, and stress that caregiver experiences should be regarded as a multidimensional concept that includes both negative and positive experiences of caregiving.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nijboer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Triemstra
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tempelaar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanderman
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: van den Bos
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload