Research Article
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The relationships between health anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty with quality of life in caregivers of cancer patients

Year 2023, , 10 - 15, 07.02.2023

Pınar Eraslan , Ayşegül İlhan

https://doi.org/10.22391/fppc.1172873

Abstract

Introduction: A cancer diagnosis is often met with fear and distress in the patient and their family. Cancer also presents many psychosocial challenges for the patient and family caregiver. We aimed to investigate the relationships between health anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty regarding the quality of life in caregivers of cancer patients.

Methods: A total of 83 cancer patients’ caregivers were included in the study. A sociodemographic information form, Health Anxiety Scale (HAS), Quality of Life Scale – Family Version (QoL-FV), and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12), were given to participants to respond. Correlations between the study scale and sub-scale scores were evaluated. Two groups were formed as those with HAS scores greater than and less than the median. It was evaluated whether these groups differed in terms of IUS-12, QoL-FV-Total and QoL-FV subscale scores.

Results: Median (IQR) scores of HAS, QoL-FV-Total and IUS-12 were 18.0 (10.0-25.0), 173.0 (145.0-206.0), and 29.0 (23.0-42.0), respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (r=0.469, p<0.001) between HAS scores and IUS-12 scores and a significant negative correlation (r=-0.328, p=0.002) between QoL-FV-Total scores. There was no significant correlation (r=-0.084, p=0.452) between QoL-FV-Total and IUS-12 scores. The IUS-12 score (median (IQR); 24.0 (20.0-27.0) vs 39.5 (31.5-45.0), p<0.001) was significantly lower and the QoL-FV-total score (median (IQR); 206.0 (157.5-263.5) vs 157.5 (142.25-176.0), p<0.001) and QoL-FV subscale scores were significantly higher in the HAS-low group than in the HAS-high group.

Conclusions: Health anxiety may be one of the negative factors for quality of life in caregivers of cancer patients. More research is needed to explore the factors that predict and protect against health anxiety, which is thought to affect the quality of life of caregivers of cancer patients. Also, psychological intervention studies aiming at the relationship between health anxiety and the quality of life in caregivers of cancer patients are needed.

Keywords: Caregivers, Uncertainty, Health Behavior, Anxiety, Quality of Life

Keywords

Caregivers Uncertainty Health Behavior Anxiety Quality of Life

References

  • 1. Lorimer S, Sansom‐Daly U, Stech E, Newby J. Predictors of health anxiety in cancer patients’ loved ones: A controlled comparison. Psychooncology 2020; 29 (11):1874-82. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5517
  • 2. Caruso R, Nanni MG, Riba MB, Sabato S, Grassi L. The burden of psychosocial morbidity related to cancer: patient and family issues. Int Rev Psychiatry 2017; 29(5): 389-402. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2017.1288090
  • 3. Given BA, Given CW, Sherwood PR. Family and caregiver needs over the course of the cancer trajectory. J Support Oncol 2012; 10(2): 57-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.suponc.2011.10.003
  • 4. Aydemir O, Kirpinar I, Sati T, Uykur B, Cengisiz C. Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the health anxiety inventory. Noro Psikiyatr Ars. 2013;50(4):325-31. https://doi.org/10.4274%2Fnpa.y6383
  • 5. Salkovskis PM, Warwick H. Making sense of hypochondriasis: A cognitive theory of health anxiety. Health anxiety: Clinical and research perspectives on hypochondriasis and related conditions: Wiley; 2001. p. 46-64.
  • 6. Rachman S. Health anxiety disorders: A cognitive construal. Behav Res Ther 2012; 50(7-8): 502-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2012.05.001
  • 7. Alberts NM, Hadjistavropoulos HD, Sherry SB, Stewart SH. Linking illness in parents to health anxiety in offspring: Do beliefs about health play a role? Behav Cogn Psychother 2016; 44(1): 18-29. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1352465814000319
  • 8. Torbit LA, Albiani JJ, Aronson M, Holter S, Semotiuk K, Cohen Z, et al. Physician trust moderates the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and cancer worry interference among women with Lynch syndrome. J Behav Med 2016; 39(3): 420-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-016-9711-4
  • 9. Kurita K, Garon EB, Stanton AL, Meyerowitz BE. Uncertainty and psychological adjustment in patients with lung cancer. Psychooncology 2013; 22(6): 1396-401. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3155
  • 10. Okcin F, Karadakovan A. Reliability and validity of the quality of life -family version (QOL-FV) in Turkish family caregivers of patients with cancer. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2012;13(9):4235-840. https://doi.org/10.7314/apjcp.2012.13.9.4235
  • 11. Saricam H, Erguvan FM, Akin A, Akca MS. The Turkish short version of the intolerance of uncertainty (IUS-12) scale: The study of validity and reliability. Route Edu Soc Sci J. 2014; 1(3): 148-57. http://dx.doi.org/10.17121/ressjournal.109
  • 12. Hagedoorn M, Buunk BP, Kuijer RG, Wobbes T, Sanderman R. Couples dealing with cancer: role and gender differences regarding psychological distress and quality of life. Psychooncology 2000; 9(3): 232-42. https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1611(200005/06)9:3<232::aid-pon458>3.0.co;2-j
  • 13. Rivera HR. Depression symptoms in cancer caregivers. Clin J Oncol Nurs 2009; 13(2): 195-202. https://doi.org/10.1188/09.cjon.195.202
  • 14. Barg FK, Pasacreta JV, Nuamah IF, Robinson KD, Angeletti K, Yasko JM, et al. A description of a psychoeducational intervention for family caregivers of cancer patients. J Fam Nurs 1998; 4(4): 394-413. https://doi.org/10.1177/107484079800400406
  • 15. Oberst MT, Scott DW. Postdischarge distress in surgically treated cancer patients and their spouses. Res Nurs Health 1988; 11(4): 223-33. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.4770110404
  • 16. Ferrell B, Ervin K, Smith S, Marek T, Melancon C. Family perspectives of ovarian cancer. Cancer Pract 2002; 10(6): 269-76. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-5394.2002.106001.x
  • 17. Park B, Kim SY, Shin J-Y, Sanson-Fisher RW, Shin DW, Cho J, et al. Prevalence and predictors of anxiety and depression among family caregivers of cancer patients: A nationwide survey of patient–family caregiver dyads in Korea. Support Care Cancer 2013; 21(10): 2799-807. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-1852-1
  • 18. Given BA, Sherwood P, Given CW. Support for caregivers of cancer patients: transition after active treatment. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011; 20(10): 2015-21. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-11-0611
  • 19. Papadopoulos A, Vrettos I, Kamposioras K, Anagnostopoulos F, Giannopoulos G, Pectasides D, et al. Impact of cancer patients' disease awareness on their family members' health-related quality of life: A cross-sectional survey. Psychooncology. 2011; 20(3): 294-301. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1731
  • 20. Consedine NS, Magai C, Krivoshekova YS, Ryzewicz L, Neugut AI. Fear, anxiety, worry, and breast cancer screening behavior: A critical review. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2004; 13(4): 501-10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15066912/
  • 21. Thorgaard MV, Frostholm L, Rask CU. Childhood and family factors in the development of health anxiety: A systematic review. Children's Health Care 2018; 47(2): 198-238. https://doi.org/10.1080/02739615.2017.1318390
  • 22. Petrin K, Bowen DJ, Alfano CM, Bennett R. Adjusting to pancreatic cancer: Perspectives from first-degree relatives. Palliat Support Care 2009; 7(3): 281-8. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1478951509990204
  • 23. Kissil K, Niño A, Jacobs S, Davey M, Tubbs CY. “It has been a good growing experience for me”: Growth experiences among African American youth coping with parental cancer. Fam Syst Health 2010; 28(3): 274. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020001
  • 24. Ladouceur R, Gosselin P, Dugas MJ. Experimental manipulation of intolerance of uncertainty: A study of a theoretical model of worry. Behav Res Ther 2000; 38(9): 933-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0005-7967(99)00133-3
  • 25. Hill EM, Hamm A. Intolerance of uncertainty, social support, and loneliness in relation to anxiety and depressive symptoms among women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Psychooncology. 2019; 28(3): 553-60. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4975
  • 26. Mast ME. Survivors of breast cancer: illness uncertainty, positive reappraisal, and emotional distress. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1998;25(3):555-62. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9568610/

Kanser hastalarına bakım verenlerde sağlık anksiyetesi ve belirsizliğe tahammülsüzlük ile yaşam kalitesi arasındaki ilişkiler

Year 2023, , 10 - 15, 07.02.2023

Pınar Eraslan , Ayşegül İlhan

https://doi.org/10.22391/fppc.1172873

Abstract

Giriş: Kanser tanısı, hasta ve ailesinde sıklıkla korku ve sıkıntı ile karşılanır. Kanser ayrıca hasta ve bakım veren için birçok psiko-sosyal zorlanmayı da beraberinde getirir. Kanser hastalarının bakım verenlerinde sağlık anksiyetesi ve belirsizliğe tahammülsüzlük ile yaşam kalitesi arasındaki ilişkileri araştırmayı amaçladık.
Yöntem: Çalışmaya toplam 83 kanser hastasının bakım vereni dahil edildi. Katılımcılara yanıt vermeleri için sosyodemografik bilgi formu, Sağlık Anksiyete Ölçeği (HAS), Yaşam Kalitesi Ölçeği – Aile Versiyonu (QoL-FV) ve Belirsizliğe Tahammülsüzlük Ölçeği (IUS-12) verildi. Çalışma ölçek ve alt ölçek puanları arasındaki korelasyon değerlendirildi. HAS skoru medyandan büyük ve küçük olanlar şeklinde iki grup oluşturuldu. Bu grupların IUS-12, QoL-FV-Toplam ve QoL-FV alt ölçek puanları açısından farklılıkları olup olmadığı değerlendirildi.

Bulgular: HAS, QoL-FV-Toplam ve IUS-12'nin medyan (IQR) puanları sırasıyla 18,0 (10,0-25,0), 173,0 (145,0-206,0) ve 29,0 (23,0-42,0) idi. HAS puanları ile IUS-12 puanları arasında anlamlı pozitif korelasyon (r=0,469, p<0,001) ve QoL-FV-Toplam puanları arasında anlamlı negatif korelasyon (r=-0,328, p=0,002) vardı. QoL-FV-Toplam ve IUS-12 puanları arasında anlamlı bir ilişki (r=-0,084, p=0,452) yoktu. HAS-düşük grupta HAS-yüksek gruba göre; IUS-12 skoru (medyan (IQR); 24,0 (20,0-27,0) ve 39,5 (31,5-45,0)), p<0,001) anlamlı olarak daha düşük ve QoL-FV-Toplam skoru (medyan (IQR); 206,0 (157,5-) 263,5) ve 157,5 (142,25-176,0), p<0,001) ile QoL-FV alt ölçek puanları anlamlı olarak daha yüksekti.

Sonuç: Sağlık kaygısı kanser hastalarına bakım verenlerde yaşam kalitesini olumsuz etkileyen faktörlerden biri olabilir. Kanser hastalarının bakım verenlerinde yaşam kalitesini etkilediği düşünülen sağlık kaygısını öngören ve bunlara karşı koruyucu faktörleri keşfetmek için daha fazla araştırmaya ihtiyaç vardır. Ayrıca kanser hastalarına bakım verenlerde sağlık kaygısı ile yaşam kalitesi arasındaki ilişkiyi hedefleyen psikolojik müdahale çalışmalarına ihtiyaç vardır.

Anahtar kelimeler: Bakım verenler, Belirsizlik, Sağlık Davranışı, Kaygı, Yaşam Kalitesi

Keywords

Bakım verenler Belirsizlik Sağlık Davranışı Kaygı Yaşam Kalitesi

References

  • 1. Lorimer S, Sansom‐Daly U, Stech E, Newby J. Predictors of health anxiety in cancer patients’ loved ones: A controlled comparison. Psychooncology 2020; 29 (11):1874-82. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5517
  • 2. Caruso R, Nanni MG, Riba MB, Sabato S, Grassi L. The burden of psychosocial morbidity related to cancer: patient and family issues. Int Rev Psychiatry 2017; 29(5): 389-402. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2017.1288090
  • 3. Given BA, Given CW, Sherwood PR. Family and caregiver needs over the course of the cancer trajectory. J Support Oncol 2012; 10(2): 57-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.suponc.2011.10.003
  • 4. Aydemir O, Kirpinar I, Sati T, Uykur B, Cengisiz C. Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the health anxiety inventory. Noro Psikiyatr Ars. 2013;50(4):325-31. https://doi.org/10.4274%2Fnpa.y6383
  • 5. Salkovskis PM, Warwick H. Making sense of hypochondriasis: A cognitive theory of health anxiety. Health anxiety: Clinical and research perspectives on hypochondriasis and related conditions: Wiley; 2001. p. 46-64.
  • 6. Rachman S. Health anxiety disorders: A cognitive construal. Behav Res Ther 2012; 50(7-8): 502-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2012.05.001
  • 7. Alberts NM, Hadjistavropoulos HD, Sherry SB, Stewart SH. Linking illness in parents to health anxiety in offspring: Do beliefs about health play a role? Behav Cogn Psychother 2016; 44(1): 18-29. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1352465814000319
  • 8. Torbit LA, Albiani JJ, Aronson M, Holter S, Semotiuk K, Cohen Z, et al. Physician trust moderates the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and cancer worry interference among women with Lynch syndrome. J Behav Med 2016; 39(3): 420-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-016-9711-4
  • 9. Kurita K, Garon EB, Stanton AL, Meyerowitz BE. Uncertainty and psychological adjustment in patients with lung cancer. Psychooncology 2013; 22(6): 1396-401. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3155
  • 10. Okcin F, Karadakovan A. Reliability and validity of the quality of life -family version (QOL-FV) in Turkish family caregivers of patients with cancer. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2012;13(9):4235-840. https://doi.org/10.7314/apjcp.2012.13.9.4235
  • 11. Saricam H, Erguvan FM, Akin A, Akca MS. The Turkish short version of the intolerance of uncertainty (IUS-12) scale: The study of validity and reliability. Route Edu Soc Sci J. 2014; 1(3): 148-57. http://dx.doi.org/10.17121/ressjournal.109
  • 12. Hagedoorn M, Buunk BP, Kuijer RG, Wobbes T, Sanderman R. Couples dealing with cancer: role and gender differences regarding psychological distress and quality of life. Psychooncology 2000; 9(3): 232-42. https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1611(200005/06)9:3<232::aid-pon458>3.0.co;2-j
  • 13. Rivera HR. Depression symptoms in cancer caregivers. Clin J Oncol Nurs 2009; 13(2): 195-202. https://doi.org/10.1188/09.cjon.195.202
  • 14. Barg FK, Pasacreta JV, Nuamah IF, Robinson KD, Angeletti K, Yasko JM, et al. A description of a psychoeducational intervention for family caregivers of cancer patients. J Fam Nurs 1998; 4(4): 394-413. https://doi.org/10.1177/107484079800400406
  • 15. Oberst MT, Scott DW. Postdischarge distress in surgically treated cancer patients and their spouses. Res Nurs Health 1988; 11(4): 223-33. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.4770110404
  • 16. Ferrell B, Ervin K, Smith S, Marek T, Melancon C. Family perspectives of ovarian cancer. Cancer Pract 2002; 10(6): 269-76. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-5394.2002.106001.x
  • 17. Park B, Kim SY, Shin J-Y, Sanson-Fisher RW, Shin DW, Cho J, et al. Prevalence and predictors of anxiety and depression among family caregivers of cancer patients: A nationwide survey of patient–family caregiver dyads in Korea. Support Care Cancer 2013; 21(10): 2799-807. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-1852-1
  • 18. Given BA, Sherwood P, Given CW. Support for caregivers of cancer patients: transition after active treatment. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011; 20(10): 2015-21. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-11-0611
  • 19. Papadopoulos A, Vrettos I, Kamposioras K, Anagnostopoulos F, Giannopoulos G, Pectasides D, et al. Impact of cancer patients' disease awareness on their family members' health-related quality of life: A cross-sectional survey. Psychooncology. 2011; 20(3): 294-301. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1731
  • 20. Consedine NS, Magai C, Krivoshekova YS, Ryzewicz L, Neugut AI. Fear, anxiety, worry, and breast cancer screening behavior: A critical review. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2004; 13(4): 501-10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15066912/
  • 21. Thorgaard MV, Frostholm L, Rask CU. Childhood and family factors in the development of health anxiety: A systematic review. Children's Health Care 2018; 47(2): 198-238. https://doi.org/10.1080/02739615.2017.1318390
  • 22. Petrin K, Bowen DJ, Alfano CM, Bennett R. Adjusting to pancreatic cancer: Perspectives from first-degree relatives. Palliat Support Care 2009; 7(3): 281-8. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1478951509990204
  • 23. Kissil K, Niño A, Jacobs S, Davey M, Tubbs CY. “It has been a good growing experience for me”: Growth experiences among African American youth coping with parental cancer. Fam Syst Health 2010; 28(3): 274. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020001
  • 24. Ladouceur R, Gosselin P, Dugas MJ. Experimental manipulation of intolerance of uncertainty: A study of a theoretical model of worry. Behav Res Ther 2000; 38(9): 933-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0005-7967(99)00133-3
  • 25. Hill EM, Hamm A. Intolerance of uncertainty, social support, and loneliness in relation to anxiety and depressive symptoms among women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Psychooncology. 2019; 28(3): 553-60. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4975
  • 26. Mast ME. Survivors of breast cancer: illness uncertainty, positive reappraisal, and emotional distress. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1998;25(3):555-62. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9568610/
There are 26 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Psychiatry
Journal Section Original Research
Authors

Pınar Eraslan 0000-0001-6271-8139

Ayşegül İlhan 0000-0002-0333-1388

Publication Date February 7, 2023
Submission Date September 8, 2022
Acceptance Date December 17, 2022
Published in Issue Year 2023

Cite

APA Eraslan, P., & İlhan, A. (2023). The relationships between health anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty with quality of life in caregivers of cancer patients. Family Practice and Palliative Care, 8(1), 10-15. https://doi.org/10.22391/fppc.1172873
AMA Eraslan P, İlhan A. The relationships between health anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty with quality of life in caregivers of cancer patients. Fam Pract Palliat Care. February 2023;8(1):10-15. doi:10.22391/fppc.1172873
Chicago Eraslan, Pınar, and Ayşegül İlhan. “The Relationships Between Health Anxiety and Intolerance of Uncertainty With Quality of Life in Caregivers of Cancer Patients”. Family Practice and Palliative Care 8, no. 1 (February 2023): 10-15. https://doi.org/10.22391/fppc.1172873.
EndNote Eraslan P, İlhan A (February 1, 2023) The relationships between health anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty with quality of life in caregivers of cancer patients. Family Practice and Palliative Care 8 1 10–15.
IEEE P. Eraslan and A. İlhan, “The relationships between health anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty with quality of life in caregivers of cancer patients”, Fam Pract Palliat Care, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 10–15, 2023, doi: 10.22391/fppc.1172873.
ISNAD Eraslan, Pınar - İlhan, Ayşegül. “The Relationships Between Health Anxiety and Intolerance of Uncertainty With Quality of Life in Caregivers of Cancer Patients”. Family Practice and Palliative Care 8/1 (February 2023), 10-15. https://doi.org/10.22391/fppc.1172873.
JAMA Eraslan P, İlhan A. The relationships between health anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty with quality of life in caregivers of cancer patients. Fam Pract Palliat Care. 2023;8:10–15.
MLA Eraslan, Pınar and Ayşegül İlhan. “The Relationships Between Health Anxiety and Intolerance of Uncertainty With Quality of Life in Caregivers of Cancer Patients”. Family Practice and Palliative Care, vol. 8, no. 1, 2023, pp. 10-15, doi:10.22391/fppc.1172873.
Vancouver Eraslan P, İlhan A. The relationships between health anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty with quality of life in caregivers of cancer patients. Fam Pract Palliat Care. 2023;8(1):10-5.

Family Practice and Palliative Care      ISSN 2458-8865       E-ISSN 2459-1505