Treatise
A longitudinal study of trajectories of change in benefit finding among family caregivers of patients with lung cancer
Ma Li, Shi Chongqing, Zhu Kaimei, Tian Siwei, Shi Jiabi, Chen Shunian, Zou Ni, Zhou Xinyu
Published 2023-10-21
Cite as Chin J Prac Nurs, 2023, 39(30): 2321-2329. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn211501-20230509-01110
Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore the change trajectory and influencing factors of benefit finding of family caregivers of patients with lung cancer, so as to provide reference for formulating individualized intervention strategies.
MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional survey. From September 2021 to October 2022, 232 family caregivers of patients with lung cancer from General Hospital of PLA Central Theater Command and Tianyou Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology were collected by convenience sampling method. The level of benefit finding of family caregivers was investigated at 1 month, 3 months and 6 month, after the patients were diagnosed. Growth Mixture Model was applied to identify distinct trajectory categories. Multinomial Logistic regressions were performed to analyze predictors of trajectory categories.
ResultsThe overall level of benefit finding of family caregivers of lung cancer patients showed an upward trend over time (F=83.06, P<0.01), from 1 month (47.02 ± 14.79) to 6 months (58.13 ± 13.18). Three categories of benefit finding trajectories were identified, named as "the high level-decline group" 12 cases, "the moderate level-stability group" 67 cases, and "the low level-elevation group" 153 cases. Univariate analysis showed that age and education level of family caregivers, average income per person in patient family, type of medical payment, whether the tumor was metastasized, the treatment method of the patient, whether they lived with the patient, and whether they had co-caregivers were related to the category of benefit finding trajectory (χ2 values were 6.71-15.05, all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age and education level of family caregivers, average income per person in patient family, treatment method of the patient and whether they lived with the patients were the main influencing factors of benefit finding trajectory categories(all P<0.05).
ConclusionsThe benefit finding of family caregivers of lung cancer patients showed different trajectories with the time of diagnosis, and the overall level shows an upward trend. More than half of the family caregivers belong to the low level-elevation group. Medical staff should give family caregivers stage and specific nursing intervention according to the change trajectory of benefit finding and its influencing factors.
Key words:
Lung neoplasms; Family caregivers; Benefit finding; Trajectory; Growth mixture model
Contributor Information
Ma Li
School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Ma Li is an intern at the General Hospital of PLA Central Theater Command, Wuhan 430070, China
Shi Chongqing
School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Zhu Kaimei
Department of Nursing, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
Tian Siwei
School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Shi Jiabi
School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Chen Shunian
School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Zou Ni
School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Zhou Xinyu
School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
