Incidence of Anxiety and Depression and Its Related Factors in Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

Abstract

Cancer patients’ family caregivers are critical in supporting and caring, particularly in developing countries with limited resources. However, little is known about the incidence of anxiety and depression among cancer patients’ caregivers in Indonesia. This study aimed to identify the incidence of anxiety and depression and explore the related factors among cancer patients' family caregivers at Soehadi Prijonegoro Public Hospital Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to January 2023, involving 85 caregivers. The Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale were used to assess anxiety and depression levels, respectively. The study revealed high anxiety (3.5%) and mild to moderate anxiety levels (89.4%) among family caregivers. Additionally, approximately half of the caregivers (45.9%) experienced depression, with mild depression being the most common (35.3%). Significant correlations were found between anxiety and age (p=0.007), length of patient's sick time (p=0.010), and family care time (p=0.009). Age was negatively correlated with anxiety and depression. Moreover, the caregiver who lived with the patient correlated with anxiety (p=0.005) and depression (p=0.016). This study highlights the significant burden of anxiety and depression among cancer patient caregivers. Healthcare professionals should consider the identified factors when developing tailored interventions.