The caregiver reaction assessment: psychometrics, and temporal stability in primary caregivers of Norwegian cancer patients in late palliative phase.
BACKGROUND
Limited research has been done on the situation of primary caregivers (PCs) to patients staying at home with cancer in the palliative phase. This study uses the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) to examine PCs caregiver burden and well-being.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 85 PCs examined at baseline, among them 42 were re-examined four months later. We explored the psychometric properties of the CRA at baseline, and introduced a CRA sum score. The CRA sum score was correlated with the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores.


RESULTS
The internal consistency of the CRA dimensions varied between alpha 0.57 and 0.85, and the factor structure was in line with earlier studies. The CRA sum score correlated significantly with all mental dimensions on the SF-36 and the HADS. At baseline the PCs showed significantly worse scores except for family support when compared to newly diagnosed cancer patients. The mean scores on the CRA dimensions as well as the total score did not change significantly from baseline to follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
We have confirmed the psychometric properties of the CRA, which seems to be an appropriate instrument for assessment the PCs caregiver situation.
Grov
Ellen Karine
EK
Institute of Health, Buskerud University College, Drammen, Norway. ellen.karine.grov@hibu.no
Fosså
Sophie D
SD
Tønnessen
Arnfinn
A
Dahl
Alv A
AA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009664:Norway; D010166:Palliative Care; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors