Positive psychology interventions for family caregivers coping with cancer: Who will use them?

Abstract

Background Positive psychology-based (PPB) activities have been under-researched in cancer caregiving. Objective This study investigated caregiver: (1) attitudes toward using PPB activities while caregiving; and (2) characteristics associated with these attitudes. Methods Secondary analyses of a cross-sectional survey were conducted in a national caregiver sample of hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patients. Survey items assessed caregivers’ likelihood of engaging in six PPB activities. Hierarchical regression was performed and potential predictors of PPB activity use (e.g., technology familiarity, coping style, caregiving duration) were examined. Results Most of the N = 948 respondents were White (78.9%), female (65.5%), married (86.7%), employed (78.4%), and college-educated (79.8%). Caregivers favorably disposed to positive activities were younger and female, provided care for 6–12 months and >40 h/week, and used coping styles involving religion and social support. Conclusions Our findings provide guidance for development and testing of PPB activities for cancer caregivers.