title: Adjusting to the caregiving role: the importance of coping and support.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although informal end-of-life care is associated with significant physical and psychological morbidity for caregivers, few interventions have been developed to meet these needs. This study aimed to identify existing coping and support mechanisms among informal cancer caregivers in order to inform intervention development.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-to-one semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with 20 informal cancer caregivers of home palliative care patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caregivers' existing coping strategies included distraction, mental stimulation, emotional release, looking for the positive aspects of caregiving, and disengaging from stressful thoughts. The majority of the participants described the importance of support and understanding form family and friends.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data suggests that feasible and acceptable interventions will be those that are targeted to caregivers to assist them in optimising existing coping strategies and support from family and friends.
authors: Queen Mary University of London, Barts & The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Blizard Institute, Yvonne Carter Building, 58 Turner Street, London, UK. eleni.epiphaniou@kcl.ac.uk
authors: Eleni
authors: E
authors: Epiphaniou
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Hamilton
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Bridger
authors: Vicky
authors: V
authors: Robinson
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Rob
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Beynon
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Higginson
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Harding
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012380:Role; D012944:Social Support; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom