title: Factors associated with quality of life among family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Limited research has examined the quality of life (QOL) and its correlates among family caregivers (FCs) during the final stage of terminal cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of overall QOL and its subdomains among Korean FCs at the very end of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 299 FCs of terminal cancer patients from seven palliative care units. To assess FCs' QOL and its predictors, we used the Caregiver Quality Of Life Index-Cancer, which contains four domains. Possible determinants of caregiver QOL were categorized into patient, caregiver, and environmental factors. A multiple regression model was used to identify factors associated with FCs' QOL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Variance in each Caregiver Quality Of Life Index-Cancer domain was explained by different factors. FCs of younger patient felt more burden but were more likely to adapt positively. Emotional distress of FCs was strongly associated with total QOL, burdensomeness, and disruptiveness. Positive adaptation was related to more visits for care, FCs' religiousness, more social support, and satisfactory perceived quality of care. Financial concerns were more likely in married FCs, FCs with less social support, or low incomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Emotional distress of FCs was the most important factor determining the overall and negative aspects of FCs' QOL, whereas various environmental factors were associated with positive coping. Appropriate support programs directed at these factors are needed to maintain and improve FCs' QOL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Youn Seon
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Catholic University St. Paul's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: In Cheol
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Medicine, Catholic University Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, South Korea.
authors.forename: Young Sung
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Kyungpook National University Medical Center, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Kyungpook National University Medical Center, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Youn
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Dongguk University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hong Yup
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, South Korea.
authors.forename: Su-Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Koh
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012944:Social Support; D019452:Terminally Ill