Associations between perceived information needs and anxiety/depressive symptoms among cancer caregivers: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose: Caregivers to cancer patients often experience information needs. This study investigates the associations between perceived information needs and anxiety/depressive symptoms among caregivers to cancer patients.

Design: Cross-sectional study using self-completed questionnaires.

Sample: A total of 128 caregivers to cancer patients who participated in a rehabilitation stay at REHPA, The Danish Knowledge Center for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, from April 2016 to March 2017.

Methods: The caregivers completed a questionnaire assessing both information needs and anxiety/depressive symptoms. We used ordinal logistic regressions to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between seven information needs and anxiety/depressive symptoms. The reference group was caregivers with no perceived information needs.

Findings: The combined score of perceived information needs was associated with higher odds of anxiety (OR = 3.86 per unit increase, 95% CI 1.85–8.03) and depressive symptoms (OR = 3.83 per unit increase, 95% CI 1.15–12.75). For the individual items, our results showed higher odds of anxiety symptoms for caregivers with perceived information needs regarding (1) the disease and its course, for both little need for information (OR = 3.62, 95% CI 1.39–9.43) and substantial need for information (OR = 4.57, 95% CI 1.40–14.93); however, for substantial information needs, an interaction with gender was found showing higher odds for men (OR = 28.90, 95% CI 4.46–187.41), but no significant association for women. Also, substantial need for information regarding the disease and its course were associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms (OR = 11.43, 95% CI 1.18–111.21). Furthermore, we found higher odds of anxiety symptoms for caregivers who perceived information needs regarding (2) which symptoms and adverse effects to be aware of; (3) how to help and support a cancer patient; (4) expected mental responses in a person with cancer; (5) how to find information on the internet, and (6) where to direct caregiver questions and/or concerns after patient discharge.

Conclusions: Among caregivers to cancer patients, perceived needs regarding the disease and its course were associated with higher odds of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, several other information needs were associated with anxiety symptoms.

Implications for Psychosocial Providers or Policy: To prevent unnecessary anxiety and depressive symptoms among cancer caregivers, health care professionals should be aware of the importance of informing caregivers regarding the disease and its course. Other issues to address concerning anxiety symptoms are information regarding which symptoms and adverse effects to be aware of; how to help and support a cancer patient; expected mental responses in a person with cancer; how to find information on the internet; and where to direct caregiver questions and/or concerns after patient discharge.

Keywords:

• caregiver
• cancer
• information needs
• anxiety
• depression

Acknowledgments

We wish to acknowledge REHPA for collecting the data. Especially we wish to acknowledge research assistant Graziella Zangger and project manager Jan Børge Tofte for their effort into the area of collecting knowledge about caregivers. Further, a great thanks to all cancer patients and their caregivers for their valuable contributions. This study is in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was collected from both patients and caregivers. The study was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (J.nr. 2008-58-0035).

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

The study received no funding, but is financed via the Danish finance bill covering the cost of REHPA.