Factors Associated With Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Family Caregivers of Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review
Objective: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a significant concern for family caregivers of cancer survivors and is associated with many adverse outcomes, including increased emotional distress and poorer quality of life. Although several theoretical models have been proposed to account for FCR in...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.625654/full |
| _version_ | 1818887768395218944 |
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| author | Louise O'Rourke Peter L. Fisher Peter L. Fisher Sophie Campbell Amelia Wright Mary Gemma Cherry Mary Gemma Cherry |
| author_facet | Louise O'Rourke Peter L. Fisher Peter L. Fisher Sophie Campbell Amelia Wright Mary Gemma Cherry Mary Gemma Cherry |
| author_sort | Louise O'Rourke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a significant concern for family caregivers of cancer survivors and is associated with many adverse outcomes, including increased emotional distress and poorer quality of life. Although several theoretical models have been proposed to account for FCR in cancer survivors, their applicability to caregivers is unknown. The aim of this review was to identify clinical, demographic and psychological factors that are associated with, and predict, FCR in caregivers of cancer survivors.Method: AMED, CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, and Scopus were systematically searched for relevant studies reporting quantitative data on factors associated with FCR or similar constructs (e.g., worry or anxiety about cancer recurrence) in family caregivers of adult cancer survivors. Included studies were assessed for methodological quality using a standardized checklist adapted from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Results: Sixteen studies, half of which were cross-sectional, were included and summarized narratively. Non-modifiable factors, including age (n = 6) and treatment modality (n = 4), were found to be associated with increased FCR. Significant positive associations were also reported between illness perceptions and FCR (n = 3). However, there was heterogeneity across included studies with regards to factors examined and most were conducted in the USA. There were also several methodological limitations to the included studies.Conclusions: Research examining FCR in caregivers of cancer survivors has predominantly focused on demographic and clinical factors. Given the paucity of research exploring the psychological mechanisms underpinning FCR, future research should investigate theoretical underpinnings of FCR in caregivers of cancer survivors to support the development of psychological interventions for this population.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier [CRD42019119729]. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T16:42:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9ffc3cf835bb4a94a678b528cbbc6a84 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T16:42:29Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-9ffc3cf835bb4a94a678b528cbbc6a842022-12-21T20:13:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782021-07-011210.3389/fpsyg.2021.625654625654Factors Associated With Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Family Caregivers of Cancer Survivors: A Systematic ReviewLouise O'Rourke0Peter L. Fisher1Peter L. Fisher2Sophie Campbell3Amelia Wright4Mary Gemma Cherry5Mary Gemma Cherry6Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Whelan Building, Quadrangle, Liverpool, United KingdomDepartment of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Whelan Building, Quadrangle, Liverpool, United KingdomClinical Health Psychology Service, Linda McCartney Centre, Liverpool University National Heath Service Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United KingdomClinical Health Psychology Service, Linda McCartney Centre, Liverpool University National Heath Service Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United KingdomDepartment of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Whelan Building, Quadrangle, Liverpool, United KingdomDepartment of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Whelan Building, Quadrangle, Liverpool, United KingdomClinical Health Psychology Service, Linda McCartney Centre, Liverpool University National Heath Service Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United KingdomObjective: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a significant concern for family caregivers of cancer survivors and is associated with many adverse outcomes, including increased emotional distress and poorer quality of life. Although several theoretical models have been proposed to account for FCR in cancer survivors, their applicability to caregivers is unknown. The aim of this review was to identify clinical, demographic and psychological factors that are associated with, and predict, FCR in caregivers of cancer survivors.Method: AMED, CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, and Scopus were systematically searched for relevant studies reporting quantitative data on factors associated with FCR or similar constructs (e.g., worry or anxiety about cancer recurrence) in family caregivers of adult cancer survivors. Included studies were assessed for methodological quality using a standardized checklist adapted from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Results: Sixteen studies, half of which were cross-sectional, were included and summarized narratively. Non-modifiable factors, including age (n = 6) and treatment modality (n = 4), were found to be associated with increased FCR. Significant positive associations were also reported between illness perceptions and FCR (n = 3). However, there was heterogeneity across included studies with regards to factors examined and most were conducted in the USA. There were also several methodological limitations to the included studies.Conclusions: Research examining FCR in caregivers of cancer survivors has predominantly focused on demographic and clinical factors. Given the paucity of research exploring the psychological mechanisms underpinning FCR, future research should investigate theoretical underpinnings of FCR in caregivers of cancer survivors to support the development of psychological interventions for this population.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier [CRD42019119729].https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.625654/fullcancer survivorsfamily caregiversfearrecurrencesystematic review |
| spellingShingle | Louise O'Rourke Peter L. Fisher Peter L. Fisher Sophie Campbell Amelia Wright Mary Gemma Cherry Mary Gemma Cherry Factors Associated With Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Family Caregivers of Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review Frontiers in Psychology cancer survivors family caregivers fear recurrence systematic review |
| title | Factors Associated With Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Family Caregivers of Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review |
| title_full | Factors Associated With Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Family Caregivers of Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | Factors Associated With Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Family Caregivers of Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors Associated With Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Family Caregivers of Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review |
| title_short | Factors Associated With Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Family Caregivers of Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review |
| title_sort | factors associated with fear of cancer recurrence in family caregivers of cancer survivors a systematic review |
| topic | cancer survivors family caregivers fear recurrence systematic review |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.625654/full |
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