Past Issues

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that affect the adjustment of the primary caregivers of breast cancer patients, and to examine what coping strategies and sources of perceived social support are related to a higher quality of life. Methods: This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the relationship between predictor variables (coping strategies, social support) and quality of life. The sample consisted of 54 primary caregivers of women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, stages 0-3, within an 18-month period. The independent variables were measured with the Family Coping Behaviors Scale and the Social Support Scale. The dependent variable was measured with the WHOQOL- BREF. Results: Bivariate correlational analysis showed that problem-focused coping strategies and social support from family/friends were both significant and positively related to quality of life, whereas emotion-focused coping strategies had detrimental effects. Study variables accounted for a considerable amount of variance in the primary caregivers' quality of life (44.8%). Among these factors, emotion-focused coping strategies and social support from family/friends accounted for the greatest variance in the level of the quality of life of the family caregivers. Conclusion: The findings suggest that coping strategies are very influential in helping primary caregivers deal with the effects of cancer, and the perceived adequacy of support from family members or friends is also important to their psychosocial adjustment. (Full text in Chinese)