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Association between Having Cancer and Psychological Distress among Family Caregivers Using Three Years of a Nationwide Survey Data in Japan

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  • María Lisseth Morales Aliaga

    (Department of Health Services Research, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan)

  • Tomoko Ito

    (Health Services Research & Development Center, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
    Department of Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan)

  • Takehiro Sugiyama

    (Health Services Research & Development Center, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
    Department of Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
    Diabetes and Metabolism Information Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
    Institute for Global Health Policy Research, Bureau of International Health Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan)

  • Timothy Bolt

    (Health Services Research & Development Center, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
    Department of Economics, Saitama University, Saitama 338-8570, Japan)

  • Nanako Tamiya

    (Health Services Research & Development Center, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
    Department of Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan)

Abstract

We aimed to describe the characteristics of caregivers with cancer compared to those without and analyze the association between having cancer and caregivers’ psychological distress in Japan. We used data from the Japanese Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in 2010, 2013, and 2016. The participants were 5258 family caregivers aged ≥40 years, caring for only one family member whose information in the dataset was available for all the covariates included in the model. The family caregivers’ psychological distress was defined by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) score (K6 ≥ 5). We conducted a Poisson regression analysis to examine the association between having cancer and family caregivers’ distress. The sample of family caregivers consisted of mostly females (69.3%) and people within the 40–64 years age group (51.8%). As a result, family caregivers with cancer increased across the survey periods; a higher number of participants were unemployed. When adjusted for covariates, including the presence of other diseases, having cancer was significantly associated with distress (risk ratio 1.33, 95% confidence interval 1.05–1.69) among family caregivers. Family caregivers with cancer are expected to increase in the future; it is important to provide them with more support in managing both their treatment and caregiving to cope with their distress.

Suggested Citation

  • María Lisseth Morales Aliaga & Tomoko Ito & Takehiro Sugiyama & Timothy Bolt & Nanako Tamiya, 2021. "Association between Having Cancer and Psychological Distress among Family Caregivers Using Three Years of a Nationwide Survey Data in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-11, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10479-:d:650429
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Navaie-Waliser, M. & Feldman, P.H. & Gould, D.A. & Levine, C. & Kuerbis, A.N. & Donelan, K., 2002. "When the caregiver needs care: The plight of vulnerable caregivers," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(3), pages 409-413.
    3. Narimasa Kumagai, 2017. "Distinct impacts of high intensity caregiving on caregivers’ mental health and continuation of caregiving," Health Economics Review, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Tami Saito & Naoki Kondo & Koichiro Shiba & Chiyoe Murata & Katsunori Kondo, 2018. "Income-based inequalities in caregiving time and depressive symptoms among older family caregivers under the Japanese long-term care insurance system: A cross-sectional analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(3), pages 1-13, March.
    5. Jennifer R. Piazza & Susan T. Charles & David M. Almeida, 2007. "Living With Chronic Health Conditions: Age Differences in Affective Well-Being," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(6), pages 313-321.
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