Stress Encountered by Significant others of Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

This study was directed toward identifying and describing the perceived stress and coping responses of family and nonfamily significant others of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Identification of the similarities and differences among the responses given by family and nonfamily significant others was one of the primary purposes of this research. Using an exploratory research design, the investigator conducted structured interviews with one family and one nonfamily significant other identified in earlier interviews with twenty-five cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in ambulatory care settings. Significant others were asked to identify stressful events related to treatment factors, relationship factors, and perception of the patient's condition. Reported coping responses to events perceived as stressful were categorized into those behaviors that reduced or eliminated the stressful event or those that altered the appraisal of the event without changing the event itself. Statistical analyses revealed 1) no significant difference between the level of stress was expressed by family and nonfamily significant others; 2) significantly higher levels of stress were reported by female family members when compared to male family members; 3) significant others who had previous experience coping with cancer of a loved one reported higher levels of stress than persons without previous experience; 4) nonfamily members reported significantly higher levels of stress when the cancer patient lived with family; and 5) no relationship was demonstrated between level of stress and time since diagnosis of cancer.