Coping Strategies in Family Caregiver of Patients with Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study

This descriptive study aimed to evaluate the coping strategies employed by family caregivers of patients with cancer and to investigate the relationship between coping dimensions and demographic variables. This study utilized a cross-sectional design and was conducted between December ۲۰۲۰ and March ۲۰۲۱ in Khorramabad, Iran. This study was a secondary analysis of a larger study. A total of ۲۱۱ family caregivers were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Brief-COPE scale. The mean total coping score was ۷۴.۳۳ (SD = ۹.۵۴), with the highest scores observed in the dimensions of active coping (۷.۱۶), acceptance (۶.۹۲), planning (۶.۶۸), and positive reframing (۶.۵۹). Chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and ANOVA revealed no statistically significant associations between coping dimensions and the demographic variables. The findings of this study suggest that family caregivers of patients with cancer predominantly utilize adaptive coping strategies, with the highest scores observed for active coping, acceptance, planning, and positive reframing. In contrast, maladaptive strategies, such as substance use and behavioral disengagement, were the least utilized. No significant associations were found between demographic characteristics and overall coping scores, indicating that caregivers adopt similar coping mechanisms regardless of their backgrounds. In conclusion, these results underscore the importance of strengthening adaptive coping strategies through targeted psychosocial interventions to enhance caregivers' well-being and alleviate the burden of caregiving. Future research should explore the long-term effects of coping strategies and their impact on caregivers' mental health and patient outcomes.

کلیدواژه ها:

coping strategies ، Family caregiver ، Patients with cancer