title: Caregiving burden and the quality of life of family caregivers of cancer patients: the relationship and correlates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Family caregivers of cancer patients become responsible for many elements of cancer care, usually without preparation or training in provision of care. Their efforts of care generate caregiving burden, which could deteriorate caregivers' quality of life (QOL).
  
  
  METHODS
  A secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to describe the influence of caregiving burden on the QOL of family caregivers of cancer patients with consideration of correlates (N = 212). The Korean versions of Zarit Burden Interview and the World Health Organization QOL BREF were used. Multiple regression analyses were applied to analyze the relationship between the caregiving burden and QOL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caregiving burden explained 30.3% of variance of the QOL (β = -0.534, p < 0.001). Caregivers caring for patients with functional deterioration experienced higher burden. Caregivers providing care for hospitalized patients demonstrated lower QOL. The caregiver's educational level was a positively contributing factor for the QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caregiving burden was the influential, negatively affecting factor for the QOL. Assessment of caregiving burden with special attention being paid to caregivers caring for patients with functional decline would help to identify caregivers in need of support. Supportive care needs to be sought to alleviate caregiving burden and improve the QOL of caregivers, especially for the caregivers of hospitalized patients.
authors: College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Sun Young
authors: SY
authors: Rha
authors: College of Nursing, Eulji University, Daejeon, South Korea.
authors: Yeonhee
authors: Y
authors: Park
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Su Kyung
authors: SK
authors: Song
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Chung Eun
authors: CE
authors: Lee
authors: College of Nursing, Eulji University, Daejeon, South Korea. Electronic address: jiyeon.lee@eulji.ac.kr.
authors: Jiyeon
authors: J
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Burden; Cancer; Caregivers; Quality of life