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Illness perceptions and coping predict post-traumatic stress in caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer

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Abstract

Purpose

There is evidence to suggest that caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate whether illness perceptions and coping strategies contribute to the development of these symptoms.

Methods

Seventy-eight caregivers completed questionnaires to assess distress, illness perceptions, and coping at diagnosis. Six months later, PTSD symptoms were assessed. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to examine relationships between illness perceptions and coping at diagnosis and PTSD symptoms at 6 months in 48 caregivers.

Results

Nineteen percent of caregivers met criteria for estimated PTSD caseness at 6-month follow-up. A regression analysis demonstrated that caregiver perceptions of low treatment benefit and many cancer symptoms, as well as use of avoidant coping techniques, predicted subsequent PTSD.

Conclusions

This preliminary study suggests that caregivers who have perceptions of low benefits from treatment and many patient symptoms, and those using avoidant coping strategies, are at increased risk of experiencing symptoms of PTSD. Psychological interventions that target illness perceptions and coping may help to reduce the prevalence of PTSD in caregivers of patients with HNC.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand

    Amy E. Richardson & Elizabeth A. Broadbent

  2. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Randall P. Morton

Authors
  1. Amy E. Richardson
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  2. Randall P. Morton
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  3. Elizabeth A. Broadbent
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elizabeth A. Broadbent.

Ethics declarations

Approval for the study was obtained from the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee and the Auckland District Health Board Research Review Committee. Participants were approached about the study while attending the outpatient clinic and those interested provided written informed consent.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Richardson, A.E., Morton, R.P. & Broadbent, E.A. Illness perceptions and coping predict post-traumatic stress in caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer. Support Care Cancer 24, 4443–4450 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3285-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3285-0

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