Manifestations of anxiety and coping strategies in patients with metastatic lung cancer and their family caregivers: a qualitative study. Issue 7 (3rd July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hendriksen, Ellen; Rivera, Alexandra; Williams, Emma; Lee, Eric; Sporn, Nora; Cases, Mallory G.; Palesh, Oxana
• Is Part Of: Psychology & health. Volume 34:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: 886
• Page End: 899
• Publication Date: 2019-07-03
• Subjects: Anxiety -- caregivers -- coping -- neoplasms -- qualitative research; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Attitude to Health -- Periodicals; Public Opinion -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2019.1579909
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-0446

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is common, deadly, and associated with impairing anxiety for patients and caregivers who often co-experience similar symptoms that can vary together over time. We aimed to discover themes as to how NSCLC patients and caregivers express and cope with anxiety. Design: Semi-structured interviews of patient-caregiver dyads ( N = 21), coded using NVivo Software. Main Outcome Measures: Open-ended questions on anxiety mutuality, giving or receiving care, communication, and the most difficult aspects of having or caring for someone with Stage IV NSCLC. Results: Analyses revealed that patients and caregivers were linked psychologically, co-experiencing symptoms of distress or coping, rising and falling together. Shared patient and caregiver themes emerged of cognitive, behavioural and physiological manifestations of anxiety and coping mechanisms. Conclusions: Patient and caregiver expressions of anxiety and coping methods mapped onto the cognitive-behavioural model, implying potential use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to address these issues. This expands understanding of symptoms and coping strategies in NSCLC, explores patient-caregiver interaction, and confirms the need for future clinical intervention. Future research should focus on development and dissemination of CBT-based dyadic interventions addressing anxiety in NSCLC patients and caregivers.