The Association of Self-esteem With Caregiving Demands, Coping, Burden, and Health Among Caregivers of Breast Cancer Patients: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach.
Yesol Yang, William Romine, Tolu O Oyesanya and 2 others
PMID 34483283WHAT IT FOUND
Caregivers of breast cancer patients who used positive thinking, problem solving, and seeking support reported higher self-esteem, which was linked to less burden and better health.
The study cannot show these things caused improvement.
Key findings
01In cross-sectional data, effective coping was directly associated with caregiver self-esteem.
02The association between self-esteem and better overall health was indirect through burden.
03Total caregiving hours were not significantly associated with effective coping.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The data were cross-sectional, so the associations cannot show that self-esteem or coping caused lower burden or better health. This was a secondary analysis of caregiver data from 61 patient-caregiver dyads, and only limited dimensions of demand, coping, burden, and health were assessed. The sample came from a single outpatient oncology center and was mostly White, with similar socioeconomic status, so findings may not generalize to all caregivers. Ineffective or avoidant coping was excluded, so the model may miss how some caregivers develop positive emotions.
Declared interests
The authors reported no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that improving caregiver self-esteem or coping will reduce burden or improve health. The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show what caused what or whether an intervention would work.