Browsing by Subject "Family caregiver"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Activities and support provided by family caregivers of persons with type 2 diabetes
    (2016-03-11) Scarton, Lisa J.; Bakas, Tamilyn; Miller, Wendy; McLennon, Susan M.; Huber, Lesa
    Type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition affecting millions, continues to rise in epidemic proportions. Type 2 diabetes, managed through lifestyle changes, affects the entire family. Family caregivers provide vital support to these individuals; however, little research has been conducted surrounding the perceived difficulty or ease of caregiver activity and supportive behaviors. The purpose of this dissertation was to develop and psychometrically test a scale that measures this difficulty or ease of activities and behaviors. This was accomplished through the compilation of three distinct manuscripts. First, an integrative review was conducted to identify what is known regarding needs and concerns of family caregivers of persons with type 2 diabetes; findings revealed a need for more research. Then, based on these recommendations, a qualitative study was conducted that explored the needs and concerns identified by 33 American Indian, African American, and White family caregivers. All these caregivers had similar concerns related to needing general diabetes information, providing support to the family member, and taking care of their own health. Study themes were used to develop items for a new instrument, the Diabetes Caregiver Activity and Support Scale (D-CASS) that was psychometrically tested with 101 American Indian, African American, and White family caregivers of persons with type 2 diabetes. This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational design and provided evidence of internal consistency reliability (α = .82) and two-week test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .70) for the D-CASS. Criterion-related validity was established using a single-item criterion measuring overall how easy or difficult it was for caregivers to provide care for their loved ones (r = .65, p < .01). Unidimensionality was supported by factor analysis, with loadings ranging from .45 to .70, with 32% of the variance explained by the first factor (eigenvalue = 4.02). Model testing through a series of three hierarchical multiple regressions guided by a conceptual model provided further evidence of construct validity for the D-CASS. This dissertation provided better understanding of needs and concerns of family caregivers of persons with type 2 diabetes and led to the development of a psychometrically sound diabetes-specific instrument for future research.
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    Distressed family caregivers of lung cancer patients: an examination of psychosocial and practical challenges
    (Springer, 2013-02) Mosher, Catherine E.; Jaynes, Heather A.; Hanna, Nasser; Ostroff, Jamie S.
    Purpose: Lung cancer and its treatment impose many demands on family caregivers, which may increase their risk for distress. However, little research has documented aspects of the caregiving experience that are especially challenging for distressed caregivers of lung cancer patients. This study aimed to explore caregivers' key challenges in coping with their family member's lung cancer. Methods: Single, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 distressed family caregivers of lung cancer patients. Results: Caregivers described three key challenges in coping with their family member's lung cancer. The most common challenge, identified by 38 % of caregivers, was a profound sense of uncertainty regarding the future as they attempted to understand the patient's prognosis and potential for functional decline. Another key challenge, identified by 33 % of caregivers, involved time-consuming efforts to manage the patient's emotional reactions to the illness. Other caregivers (14 %) characterized practical tasks, such as coordinating the patient's medical care, as their greatest challenge. Conclusions: Results suggest that clinical efforts are needed to assist distressed caregivers in providing practical and emotional support to the patient and attending to their own emotional needs.
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    Promoting Daily Engagement in Meaningful Activity (DEMA) for people with cognitive impairment and their caregivers: Protocol for a randomized clinical trial
    (Elsevier, 2025) Katz, Amy J.; Chang, Pei-Shiu; Gao, Sujuan; Apostolova, Liana G.; Passey, Richard T.; Yang, Ziyi; Ceniza, Dane; Lu, Yvonne; School of Nursing
    Background: Nearly one-third of older American adults have cognitive impairment (mild cognitive impairment or subjective cognitive decline). Cognitive impairment (CI) has an extraordinary impact on older adults, caregivers (CG), and society. Deteriorating life satisfaction in persons with CI (PwCI) and their primary CG is a prevalent problem. However, there is a paucity of research on a strength-based, positive health approach, and supportive care for PwCI and their CG. Objectives: The promoting re-engagement in meaningful activity (PRIMA) study is a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of the Daily Engagement in Meaningful Activity (DEMA) intervention for PwCI and their CGs. The primary aim is to test DEMA's efficacy for improving life satisfaction in PwCI and their CGs over time. The second aim evaluates how the intervention improves activity performance, decreases depressive symptoms and anxiety in PwCI and CGs, and reduces CG burden over time. The third aim is to explore the treatment's efficacy among a sub-sample of PwCIs with (and without) depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 ≥ 5 at baseline) for improvement in health outcomes over time. Methods: The study population consists of dyads, a PwCI and their CG. The PwCI must be 60 years old and have CI. A total of 200 PwCI-CG dyads will be randomized to the DEMA or attention control group. Outcome assessments are conducted over 9-months (baseline, 10 days-, 3- and 6- months post-intervention). Discussion: The DEMA results will inform care for the broader PwCI and CG population in community and home-based settings.
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    Randomized Clinical Trial of a Self-care and Communication Intervention for Parents of Adolescent/Young Adults Undergoing High-Risk Cancer Treatment: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2022) Haase, Joan E.; Stegenga, Kristin; Robb, Sheri L.; Hooke, Mary C.; Burns, Debra S.; Monahan, Patrick O.; Stump, Timothy E.; Henley, Amanda K.; Haut, Paul R.; Cherven, Brooke; Roll, Lona; Langevin, Anne-Marie; Pickler, Rita H.; Albritton, Karen; Hawkins, DeAnna; Osterkamp, Erin; Mitby, Pauline; Smith, Jackie; Diaz, Virginia R.; Garcia-Frausto, Erica; Moore, Margo; School of Nursing
    Background: Parents of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer offer primary support to their children and often experience their own high levels of distress, affecting parent-AYA communication and quality of life. Objective: To reduce parent distress and improve communication during high-risk cancer treatment, we examined efficacy of a self-care and communication intervention for parents and indirect benefit for AYAs receiving a therapeutic music video (TMV) intervention. Methods: In this study, we conducted a multisite, randomized controlled trial with AYAs and parents enrolled as dyads (n = 110). Parents were randomized to intervention or low-dose control; all AYAs received TMV. Data collection occurred at baseline, 2 weeks post intervention (T2), and 90 days post intervention (T3). Results: There were no significant between-group differences on primary outcomes for parents or AYAs. We did find significant differences favoring the parent intervention group on parenting confidence at T2 and marginally better outcomes for family adaptability/cohesion at T3. Both groups exhibited significant within-group improvement for parent distress (state anxiety, T3; perceived stress, T2 and T3; mood, T3), state anxiety (T2) intervention only, and family strengths control group only. Qualitative data demonstrate the parent intervention raised self-awareness and parent confidence in the short term. Conclusion: Parents found their intervention helpful. Absence of significant results may be due to short intervention duration, need for tailored content, underpowered sample, and potential indirect parent benefit from AYA participation in TMV. The parent intervention did not provide an indirect benefit for AYAs. Implications for nursing: Parents identified their own need for communication and support from nurses. Nurses can optimize AYA care by attending to parent needs through supportive listening and encouraging self-care.