Relationship between Coping Strategies and Caregivers’ Burden in the Case of Caregivers of Cancer Patients

Description

Page: 541-546

Pratima Tiwari¹, Purnima Awasthi², and Isha Jaiswal² (Department of Psychology, F. S. S. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh¹, Department of Psychology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh², Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Medicine, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh³)

Cancer is a chronic illness that can be atrocious and burdensome for both patients and their primary caregivers (PCs). Cancer caregivers can better manage the emotional, physical, and practical burden of employing effective and useful coping strategies. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between the severity of burden and coping strategies among primary caregivers. Cancer caregivers (N = 80) have participated in this study. Data were collected using the Zarit Burden Interview (caregivers’ burden) and the Brief COPE Inventory. The caregivers completed the questionnaires, which were selected using a purposive sampling method. The collected data were analysed using correlations and regression analysis. Findings showed that problem-focused coping (planning, active coping, and use of instrumental support) and emotion-focused coping (acceptance, positive reframing, use of emotional support, humor, religion) reduced the caregivers’ burden and dysfunctional coping strategies (venting, denial, self-blame, self-distraction, substance use, behavioural disengagement) enhanced the burden. Overall, the results of this study suggest that good coping skills play a vital role in dealing with cancer-related burdens.