title: Factors associated with positive consequences of serving as a family caregiver for a terminal cancer patient.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined factors associated with positive consequences for family members who served as caregivers of terminal cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey of 501 bereaved family members who served as caregivers for terminal cancer patients. The main outcomes were measured by the previously developed Caregiving Consequences Inventory, which assesses perceived rewards and burdens of caregiving.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bereaved family caregivers reported high levels of perceived rewards and burden. Among the characteristics of bereaved family members, older age, female gender, and having a religion were associated with some domains of perceived rewards, but being a spouse of a patient was negatively associated with some domains of perceived rewards. Caregiver depression or perceived burden did not affect positive consequences of caregiving. However, receiving bereavement care was significantly associated with positive outcome in all four perceived reward domains (sense of mastery [adjusted odds ratio {aOR} = 1.69; 95% CI, 1.05-2.70]; appreciation for others [aOR = 2.19; 95% CI, 1.27-3.76]; meaning in life [aOR = 1.80; 95% CI, 1.13-2.89]; and reprioritization about his/her life [aOR = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.27-3.19]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Family caregivers of terminal cancer patients experience burdens, but caregiving also has positive consequences. This study has important implications for the development of bereavement interventions that aim to encourage positive outcomes and reduce negative outcomes for caregivers.
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Jina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Dong Wook
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Ji Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Makiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanjo
authors.forename: Soo Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Hwan Kyun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Myoung Suk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Hyang Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kwen
authors.forename: Hae Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Wook Hee
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D011788:Quality of Life; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012201:Reward; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*