Investigation in psychological state and it's correlation factors of family members of dderly cancerpatients

Abstract

Objective To investigate the psychological state and its correlation factors of family members of elderly cancer patients. Methods A total of 76 family members of elderly cancer patients were investigated with questionnaires with Zung's self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS). Their psychological state and its correlation factors were analyzed. Results Incidence rate of anxiety of elderly cancer patients' family members was 52.63%, and incidence rate of depression was 46.05%. The mean standard score of SAS and SDS of elderly cancer patients' family members were both significantly higher than domestic norm. Difference of family member's gender, ways to pay health care fee, pain degree and disease condition led to different SAS and SDS score. Conclusions Family members of elderly cancer patients possessed different degree of psychological obstacle which related with multiple factors. Medical staff should not only think highly of patients' psychological state, but also their family members'. And meanwhile they should take corresponding strategy to reduce the incidence rate of anxiety and depression state in those family members. Key words: Elderly;  Cancer;  Family membor;  Psychological state