Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Their Associated Factors Among Caregivers of Children With Cancer

Abstract

Background A child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment are stressful for family caregivers, who may experience anxiety, depressive symptoms, and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) related to the care they provide. Objective This study assessed the prevalence of anxiety, depressive symptoms, HRQoL, and associated factors among caregivers of children with cancer. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 167 caregivers of children with cancer in Malawi. A multivariate analysis was conducted to identify the determinants of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and HRQoL. Results All 167 caregivers who consented to participate in this study completed all the questionnaires. Severe anxiety and severe depressive symptoms accounted for 17.5% and 10.2%, respectively. Being Muslim (B = 7.800, P < .001) and Pentecostal (B = 3.067, P = .023) by religious denominations was more likely to be anxious, whereas Catholic caregivers (B = 3.702, P = .033) were more likely to be depressed. Being unemployed was more likely to result in lower anxiety (B = −4.080, P = .016). Furthermore, caregivers demonstrated a lower mental health component (mean, 39.33 [SD, 6.35]), whereas being a female and aged between 31 and 40 years was more likely to result in better physical health (B = 3.962 [P = .031] and B = 3.415 [P = .020], respectively). Conclusion This study supports evidence that caregivers of children experience moderate and severe anxiety and depressive symptoms and poor HRQoL in Malawi. Implication for Practice Nurses need to include psychological interventions for caregivers of children with cancer during childcare.