Coping with loneliness: Caregivers of cancer patients

2014 Jan 1
01/01/2014
By Ami Rokach, , Yona Miller, Sharon Schick, Michaela Bercovitch

Caregivers to cancer patients may be particularly vulnerable to the experience of loneliness. The current study compared
the strategies used to cope with loneliness by those caring for hospitalized cancer patients who were receiving treatment,
and caregivers of cancer patients in a hospice, who were on their death bed. Analyses revealed that there was no significant
difference in coping with loneliness by caregivers of the ill and dying, but found a significant interaction effect within the
caregivers to the ill group. Women attending to the ill scored higher on Acceptance and reflection, Self-development &
understanding, and on the Social support network subscales than men did.
Key words
Caregivers, Loneliness, Cancer, Patients, Death

More publications on the subject

Feasibility study of a systematic approach for discontinuation of multiple medications in older adults: addressing polypharmacy
Background: Polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use is a problem in elderly patients, who are more likely to experience adverse effects from multiple treatments and less
The oncologist’s role in delivering palliative care
Abstract Given that such a substantial proportion of oncology patients have advanced and/or incurable cancer oncologists invariably face enormous challenges in maintaining or improving
The cultural context of patient’s autonomy and doctor’s duty: passive euthanasia and advance directives in Germany and Israel
01/11/2010
Abstract The moral discourse surrounding end-of-life (EoL) decisions is highly complex, and a comparison of Germany and Israel can highlight the impact of cultural
Selected issues in palliative care among East Jerusalem Arab residents
01/01/2010
Abstract Understanding of cultural context is important when working with Palestinian patients, particularly in Israeli hospitals. Cultural competence includes individual assessment of communication needs
End-of-life needs as perceived by terminally ill older adult patients, family and staff
01/09/2010
Abstract Purpose of the study: A comparison of inpatient end-of-life needs as perceived by terminally ill older adult patients, family, physicians and nurses, is lacking.
The cultural context of end-of-life ethics: a comparison of Germany and Israel
01/07/2010
No abstract available