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Demographic and Clinical Factors Associated with Coping Strategies among Family Caregivers of Patients with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Donya Aslani   , Farshid Shamsaei , Erfan Aubi , Safura Yaghmaei * |
| hamadan university of medical sciences |
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Abstract: (21 Views) |
| Introduction: Among cancer treatment modalities, chemotherapy imposes considerable burden on patients and, particularly, their family caregivers due to its prolonged nature and associated side effects. The manner in which family caregivers cope with caregiving-related stress plays a critical role in their psychological adaptation, the quality of care provided, and the patient’s treatment outcomes. Coping strategies employed by family caregivers are influenced by various factors. Demographic characteristics (such as age, gender, and marital status) as well as clinical factors (including cancer type, disease stage, and treatment duration) may affect the effectiveness of these strategies. However, coping patterns among family caregivers of patients with cancer are not uniform across different cultural and social contexts. Given the limited availability of local data in this area, examining demographic and clinical factors associated with coping strategies among family caregivers of patients undergoing chemotherapy in Iran can contribute to care planning and the development of targeted interventions. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 in Hamadan, Iran, using convenience sampling. The Billings and Moos Coping Strategies Questionnaire, along with a demographic information form and cancer-related characteristics checklist, were administered. Data analysis was performed at both descriptive and inferential levels using Stata software. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare coping strategy scores between two groups, and the Kruskal–Wallis test was applied for comparisons among more than two groups. Subsequently, multivariate linear regression was employed. A significance level of p < 0.05 was considered for all tests. Results: The median coping strategies score among all caregivers was 42. Based on the results of the Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests, statistically significant associations were observed between caregivers’ coping strategies and marital status, family history of cancer, presence of a chronic or acute illness in the family, and cancer type. Specifically, single/divorced caregivers, those without a family history of cancer, and those without a chronic or acute illness in the family utilized stronger coping strategies. Among cancer types, the highest median coping strategy scores were associated with leukemia and bone marrow cancer, while the lowest scores were related to breast cancer and brain cancer. In contrast, no statistically significant associations were found between caregivers’ coping strategies and patient gender, patient age, caregiver age, or the caregiver–patient relationship. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the determining role of the family context and the nature of the disease in shaping coping patterns among caregivers within the Iranian cultural setting. They underscore the necessity of designing targeted support programs based on family contextual characteristics to strengthen adaptive coping strategies. Furthermore, the authors emphasize that demographic variables and clinical characteristics of cancer should not be regarded merely as background descriptors, but rather as primary predictors of coping style that warrant focused attention in future research. |
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| Keywords: Coping strategies, chemotherapy, family caregivers, cancer |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/09/9 | Accepted: 2026/10/26 | Published: 2024/06/30
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