Article Analysis: Depressive Symptoms Among Caregivers of Colorectal Cancer Patients

2292 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Stress as a social determinant

Introduction

The article “Depressive symptoms among caregivers of colorectal cancer patients during the first year since diagnosis: a longitudinal investigation” written by Youngmee Kim, Charles Carver, Caio Rocha-Lima and Kelly M. Schaffer is a prospective longitudinal study seeking to look for the relationship between stress and social support and how they are related to progressing depressive symptoms for caregivers of colorectal cancer patients (Yougmee et al, 2013).

Longitudinal studies are observational with no interference between researchers and their subjects. Unlike experimental studies, longitudinal studies may conduct multiple observations throughout a period of time finding developments, trends, and changes to the subjects. This research looks to study the third most common cancer and its effects on those around the patient, inspecting the validity of the previous research and their conclusions.

Problem, Purpose and Research Question

Research pertaining to cancer patients, their treatment, mental health and wellbeing are of abundance. However, research that relates specifically towards the caregivers of cancer patients is narrow. Studies show that caregivers of cancer patients encounter similar, or even sometimes greater, psychosomatic grief than the patient (Yougmee et al, 2013). These studies are important as the welfare and mental health of each caregiver influences the quality of care given to patients. Therefore the study of caregivers plays an integral role in looking at the effects of cancer diagnoses on patients, the mental health and stress, and the influence of social support on these relatives. Current studies that are available limit themselves to looking at non-Hispanic White caregivers of patien...

... middle of paper ...

...egivers of colon and colorectal cancer patients. The literature review provided enough information to determine that more research about this subject is needed and that is exactly what this study aimed to do. This study advanced research in this topic and widened the knowledge, research, and evidence about caregiver mental health. All of the information provided was appropriate for this research study and concluded with more than sufficient information. Regardless of the limitations, it is evident that future research can only benefit from this study and use it as a way of broadening the scope of this research down the road.

References

Kim,Y., Carver, C., Rocha-LimaC., & Shaffer, K. (2013). Depressive symptoms among caregivers of colorectal cancer patient during the first year since diagnosis: a longitudinal investigation. Psycho-Onocology, 22(2), 362-367

Show More
Related

  • Caring for Children with Cystic Fibrosis

    2008 Words  | 5 Pages

    Being diagnosed with a chronic illness is a life-altering event. During this time, life is not only difficult for the patient, but also for their loved ones. Families must learn to cope together and to work out the best options for the patient and the rest of the family. Although it may not be fair at times, things may need to be centered on or around the patient no matter what the circumstance. (Abbott, 2003) Sacrifices may have to be made during difficult times. Many factors are involved when dealing with chronic illnesses. Coping with chronic illnesses alter many different emotions for the patients and the loved ones. Many changes occur that are very different and difficult to get used to. (Abbott, 2003) It is not easy for someone to sympathize with you when they haven’t been in the situation themselves. No matter how many books they read or people they talk to, they cannot come close to understanding.

    Read More

  • Essiac, Tea Of Life?

    1949 Words  | 4 Pages

    Fox, B. H. (I 989). Depressive symptoms and risk of cancer. Journal of the American Medical

    Read More

  • How Does Alzheimer's Affect Society

    983 Words  | 2 Pages

    (Davidson, F. G.) Due to the nature of dementia being a neuropsychological disorder, those affected by the disease tend to look like they will not require much care, which, in reality, they often require more care than the caregiver originally expected, leading to stress and burnout. Another effect caused by this can be the caregiver blaming themselves by feeling like they are failing to give proper care, which, in reality, can often be very far from the truth. If the caregiver does not receive help from anyone else, the task of watching over the victim becomes a daunting twenty for hour task. Sometimes, the caregiver won’t be allowed quality sleep. Over 66 percent of home caregivers suffer from some form of psychological or physical illness. The most common illness that is resulted from giving care to Alzheimer’s disease is depression. The caregiver needs to monitor their emotional well-being as well as the well-being as the person that they are giving care to. Usually, giving care to those with dementia is actually more stressful than giving care to those with cancer. When the caregiver is a family member and not a professional, the emotional toll is often even greater. It is important for caregivers to remember that they need to take care of themselves first and

    Read More

  • Using CFAM And CFIM To Conduct A Family Interview

    2928 Words  | 6 Pages

    Many people have many different definitions of a family. Some include family as the people they live with, some include their entire extended family, and some include friends, neighbors, coaches, and teachers. According to the Vanier Institute (2013), a family is “a combination of two or more persons who are bound together over time by ties of mutual consent, birth, and/or adoption” (para. 2). Whichever way you look at it, families often play a major role in life. It only makes sense that when a person begins to go through a drastic change in life such as illness, the family will be involved. This is why it is important that nurses learn how to provide suitable client and family centered care. They can do this by following the four pillars, which include respect and dignity, collaboration, information sharing, and meaningful participation (Saskatoon Health Region, 2013). By following these guidelines, nurses are able to appropriately include the family in all aspects of the healing of their loved one.

    Read More

  • Unpaid Carers Case Study

    1355 Words  | 3 Pages

    Caring for someone with significant health issues is an exhausting and stressful experience and it is hardly surprising that carers are prone to developing ‘burnout’. Observed in nursing, this phenomenon, described as ‘…a haemorrhaging of oneself for others’ is detrimental as stress over-load causes the cognitive and emotional responses to severely malfunction (O’Mahoney, 1983 cited in Farrington, 1997). Carers in this state of mind inevitably develop negative internalised and externalised feelings, including self-depletion, low self-esteem, limited energy, negativity and hopelessness (Taylor and Barling, 2004). A report conducted by Age UK highlights that 6 out of 10 carers suffer damaging conditions related to their mental health, including depression and lack of confidence. Furthermore, these feelings are often intensified by carers’ perseverance which aggravates existing disabilities, such as arthritis, crumbling spine, heart problems and cancer, and leads to further pain (Carers Trust,

    Read More

  • Role of Social Support in Breast Cancer

    1792 Words  | 4 Pages

    Following skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, as approximately 12% of women will develop invasive breast cancer throughout their lifetime (Ma, Jemal 2013). After being diagnosed with breast cancer, women face major psychological and social challenges to coping with the disease. Many studies have examined the role of social support in cancer progression. It is commonly found that having a strong social support system aids individuals during the course of their illness (Dunkel-Schetter 1984). This review will specifically question if the various forms of social support are always a positive influence on an individual’s ability to cope with breast cancer. For the most part the literature indicates that a strong social support system is beneficial for the well being of the cancer patient. However, as I will explain during this review not all forms of social support are beneficial, in fact some instances of social support may be detrimental and can produce conflict among members of the support group. This finding is not common, however it is important to mention in order to understand the role of social support as a whole. Through reviewing five academic studies I will describe the various forms of social support and their subsequent effects on coping with breast cancer.

    Read More

  • Case Analysis of Jack and Ally through the Ecological Framework

    2009 Words  | 5 Pages

    Wittenberg, E., Saada, A., & Prosser, L. (2013). How illness affects family members: A qualitative interview survey. The Patient: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, 6(4), 257-268. doi:10.1007/s40271-013-0030-3

    Read More

  • Gilbert Grape Case Study

    1808 Words  | 4 Pages

    the role of illness characteristics, caregiving, and attachment. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 15(6), 632-645. doi:10.1080/13548506.2010.498891.

    Read More

  • Coping with Chronic Illness

    2707 Words  | 6 Pages

    -Sonnenberg, E. 2008.Caregiver Stress: The Impact of Chronic Disease on the Family. Available at: http://www.beliefnet.com/healthandhealing/getcontent.aspx?cid=74397.Access date 21 December 2013.

    Read More

  • Bilateral Breast Cancer Case Study

    213 Words  | 1 Pages

    During the Spring of 2012 my mother became ill with bilateral breast cancer. During this time I was in school and unable to travel to see her or assist my brothers. Being that she was the only family member I lived with it was difficult to focus on my schoolwork as well as think about my mom and two brothers who were at home with these problems. My mother would recover and return to health a year later after surgery and treatment, but the issues continued to arise in our home.

    Read More

  • Personal Narrative: My Father's Battle With Cancer

    998 Words  | 2 Pages

    Imagine having to wake up each day wondering if that day will be the last time you see or speak to your father. Individuals should really find a way to recognize that nothing in life is guaranteed and that they should live every day like it could be there last. This is the story of my father’s battle with cancer and the toll it took on himself and everyone close to him. My father was very young when he was first diagnosed with cancer. Lately, his current health situation is much different than what it was just a few months ago. Nobody was ready for what was about to happen to my dad, and I was not ready to take on so many new responsibilities at such an adolescent age. I quickly learned to look at life much differently than I had. Your roles change when you have a parent who is sick. You suddenly become the caregiver to them, not the other way around.

    Read More

  • Theory of Caregiver Stress and its Practice in Nursing

    1134 Words  | 3 Pages

    Weng, L., Huang, H., Wang, Y., Chang, C., Tsai, C., & Lee, W. (2011). Primary caregiver stress in caring for a living-related liver transplantation recipient during the postoperative stage. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 1749-1757.

    Read More

  • Essay On Family Adaptation Theory

    812 Words  | 2 Pages

    The philosophical abstraction of family stress and adaptation emphasizes how the mental well-being, environment, nursing and family  affects the physical body during times of distress and illness.  There has been a growing interest in family stress, particularly variables affecting family response to life cycle events

    Read More

  • Personal Narrative: A Nurse Internship

    1334 Words  | 3 Pages

    It’s funny how life can change in the blink of an eye; one day you are a normal teenager and the next you become the sole caregiver to your mother who has terminal cancer. For most, other family members are there to help, but in my case, I was alone. The summer consisted of a daily routine; we woke up, made breakfast, got dressed, and drove to doctor’s appointments. I remember waking up late one morning and not only did my routine for the day change, but also my life. That morning I ran downstairs to see if my mother was ready to go and I stumbled upon her silently muttering to herself in the mirror. I could tell she was frustrated, but I was unsure of the reason, and quite honestly afraid to hear her answer. When she turned to me to ask if

    Read More

  • Essay On Losing A Child

    2204 Words  | 5 Pages

    Bereaved Parents go through grief, but extremely more intense than the average individual who has lost a loved one. Grief is different for every individual depending on the loss, and person they lost. Regarding implications and policy for grief, my finding point to the need of education around this topic for schools, social workers, hospitals and therapists. More professional’s services should be provided for not just individuals going through grief, but individuals who have lost a child or who have prolonged grief. Support groups and specialize grief interventions should be implanted into communities for families who are having a difficulty adapting to the death of their child. The high rates of marital problems, health related problems and depression should also be addressed. There should be some therapeutic interventions that reach out to bereaved parents

    Read More

More about Article Analysis: Depressive Symptoms Among Caregivers of Colorectal Cancer Patients

Open Document