Work

The Quality of the Adult Caregiver-Recipient Relationship May Buffer Caregiver Burden During Allogeneic Transplantation

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: Caregivers are critical partners in allogeneic transplantation (HSCT) recipients' treatment and recovery. Although many transplant caregivers report significant emotional distress, factors that might serve to buffer the impact of this experience on their lives are not well understood. The purpose of this analysis is to examine the quality of the HSCT caregiver-recipient relationship and its association to caregiver perceived burden. Cross-sectional data were drawn from HSCT recipients and caregivers preparing for HSCT from a longitudinal study. Measures include the Family Caregiving Inventory (FCI) Mutuality Scale, Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA), Distress Thermometer (DT), and self-reported demographic data. Adult (M = 52.1±13.3 years) caregivers (N = 111) were predominantly female (73.0%), and spouse to the HSCT recipient (45.9%). Fifty-three (47.7%) were sole caregivers while 58 (52.2%) were members of a caregiver ‘team’. Adult (M = 46.4±14.4 years) HSCT recipients were predominately male (62.3%), preparing for a reduced intensity HSCT (84.4%). Caregiver mutuality was significantly related (p < 0.05) to all aspects of caregiver burden except finances (p = 0.113). Caregivers with higher mutuality reported less impact on self-esteem, health, schedule and sense of abandonment by family. Higher recipient mutuality was also related to less impact on caregiver self-esteem (p < 0.05). Greater agreement on perceived mutuality was related to less impact on caregiver self-esteem (p < 0.001) and finances (p < 0.05). Caregivers with less burden reported lower levels of self-reported distress (p < 0.05). Results suggest that caregivers who perceive good relationship quality with HSCT recipients experience less burden. Assessments and interventions directed at understanding relationship concerns might improve outcomes for caregivers including minimizing distress.

Source: Transplantation and Cellular Therapy

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2010.12.128