The Relationship Between Health Anxiety Levels And Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Of Family Caregivers Of Cancer Patients Receiving Outpatient Chemotherapy

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between health anxiety levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors of family caregivers of cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Methods: The study is descriptive. The study sample consisted of 107 family caregivers of patients who applied to a university hospital for chemotherapy. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI) and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale (HLSBS). Results: In the study, the median of the total score on the Health Anxiety Inventory of caregivers was found 18, and the total score median of the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale was 116. It was determined that there was a statistically significant and weak positive correlation between hypersensitivity to somatic symptoms and the anxiety levels, and health responsibility (r=0.230, p=0.017). A statistically significant and weak negative relationship was found between the dimension related to the negative consequences of the illness and self - realization (r= - 0.234, p=0.015). Conclusions: It has been found that caregivers move away from healthy lifestyle behaviors as their health anxiety increases. On that note, it is recommended to organize group meetings by nurses where caregivers can share their experiences regarding physical, emotional and psychological problems that may increase their health anxiety and training that will positively affect health behaviors.