Quality Of Life In Spouses Research Articles

The dyadic relationship of supportive care needs with quality of life in lung cancer survivor and spousal caregiver couples

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the dyadic interrelationships between supportive care needs (SCNs) and quality of life (QOL) among lung cancer (LC) survivors and their spousal caregivers. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 443 dyads were recruited from three tertiary hospitals in two cities (Fuzhou and Putian) in Fujian Province, China, between May 2020 and May 2021. The study shows that participants completed a sociodemographic information sheet, the SCNs survey, and answered the Chinese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire by telephone. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlations. This study used the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) with dyad analysis to examine the effect of LC survivors and spouses unmet SCNs on QOL. ResultsLC survivor's and spouse's QOL levels were influenced by the level of unmet SCNs (the actor effect). LC survivors unmet SCNs were significantly negatively associated with their spouse's QOL (the partner effect). There were no partner effects between the spouse's unmet SCNs and the LC survivor's QOL. The APIM model produced an acceptable model fit [χ2/df = 2.84 (147), comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.94, Tucker–Lewis index (TLI) = 0.93, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.07]. ConclusionsThe level of unmet SCNs significantly affected QOL in survivor and spouse dyads. Although partner effects were weaker than actor effects, healthcare providers should develop tailored LC dyadic self- and family-management interventions to provide SCN-driven care to LC survivors and their spouses.

The effect of group assertive training on the self-esteem and quality of life in the spouses of drug-abusing patients.

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to examine the effect of group assertive training on self‐esteem and quality of life among spouses of drug‐abusing patients.MethodsThis randomized clinical trial assignment study with a control group. The statistical population included all spouses of drug users referring to private addiction treatment centers in Tehran‐Iran in 2020 and the sample included 50 spouses of drug users who were selected by simple random sampling from among the volunteers. They were randomly divided into two groups control and experimental, each group consisting of 25 people.ResultsThe results of data analysis showed that group assertive training increased self‐esteem and quality of life in spouses of drug‐abusing patients in the experimental group compared to the witness group (p < .001).ConclusionAs a result, group assertive training is effective in increasing the self‐esteem and quality of life among the spouses of drug‐abusing patients.

IMPACT OF FAMILY STIGMA AND CAREGIVER BURDEN ON QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG WIVES OF PATIENTS WITH ALCOHOL AND OPIOID USE DISORDER

Objectives: Spouses of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) suffer from burden, stigma, and low quality of life (QoL). The present study assessed the impact of stigma and burden on QoL among wives of patients with AUD and OUD. Methods: 90 wives of in-patients with severe AUD (n=54) and OUD (n=36) as per DSM-5 were assessed using socio-demographic pro forma, WHO QoL Bref Hindi, Hindi family stigma scale and Family Burden Interview Schedule. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Inc., Chicago, IL, version 25.0 for Windows was used for analysis. Appropriate statistical tests including Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests of normality, Mann–Whitney test, and Kruskal–Wallis test were used. To see the relationship between two variables Pearson Correlation coefficient was calculated. All statistical tests were two-sided and performed at a significance level of α=.05. Results: Majority of the wives were more than 30 years old, literate and belonged to rural areas. Higher financial burden reduced overall QoL (p=0.001**), satisfaction with physical health (0.006**), psychological health (p=0.032*), and environment (p=0.001**). There was a negative correlation of satisfaction with environment with disruption of family interaction (p=0.003**), burden on mental health (p=0.001**), overall burden (p=0.000**), and discrimination (p=0.032*). Conclusion: QoL of spouses of patients with AUD and OUD reduces significantly due to stigma and burden. Enhancing QoL of spouses should be a part of management of AUD and OUD.

Comparative Analysis of Spouse’s Burden and Quality of Life in Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar I Disorder

Background: Spouses of patients with bipolar disorder may experience a different quality of life and burden than seen with major depressive disorder. Objective: This study was conducted to comparatively analyse spouse’s burden and quality of life in major depressive and bipolar disorders. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 spouses of patients with major depressive and bipolar disorders in the city of Hamadan in Iran, in 2018. Data collection tools included Zarit Burden and QOL-BREF questionnaires. Data were analyzed by a t-test using SPSS -16. Results: The findings showed that 11.8% of spouses of patients with depression and 85.5% of spouses of patients with bipolar disorder experienced severe burden (P &lt; 0.001). The quality of life of spouses of patients with bipolar disorder was lower than with depressive disorder (P &lt; 0.05). In both the groups, a negative correlation was found between burden and QOL. Conclusion: The spouses of patients with bipolar disorder experience more burden and lower quality of life than depression. In both the groups, burden has a negative impact on the quality of life. Professional help and supportive intervention can be provided to the spouses of patients with major depressive and bipolar I disorders to reduce their burden, strengthen their coping skill and thus improve their QOL.

The Impact of Spiritual Care Skills on Quality of Life in Spouses of Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: The wives of veterans are under great pressure because of their husbands ’physical and mental problems, and this can affect their mental health and quality of life. It seems that the training of some skills can have a significant impact on improving quality of life and reducing their mental burden. This study was conducted to determine the effect of spiritual care education in quality of life in wives of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that plays a major role in caring for them.Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study in which 60 wives of PTSD-affected veterans in Ibn Sina hospital were selected and assigned randomly in two experimental and control groups. Spiritual care education was conducted in five sessions of two hours. Quality of life Questionnaire (SF-36) was used in this study. The questionnaire was implemented on participants of both groups in three stages: before, after and one months after the intervention (follow-up). Data were analysis using SPSS version 19.Results: The results of this study showed that spiritual care education could increase quality of life in the Wives of Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the subjects participating in the post-test had significantly higher quality of life.Conclusion: According to results of this, study that represent effect of spiritual care education on quality of life, so it is recommended spiritual care education can be used to improve the quality of life of people especially the families of veterans.

Evaluation of quality of life, anxiety, and depression in the spouses of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Impaired quality of life can be seen in the spouses of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. The main aim of the study is to assess the quality of life, anxiety, and depression in the spouses of the OSAS patients. A total of 100 OSAS patients and their spouses were included in the study. The demographic features of patients and the findings related to their disease and relevant clinical conditions were recorded. The quality of life of the spouses was evaluated by Short Form-36, their depression levels by Beck's depression inventory (BDI), anxiety levels by Beck's anxiety inventory, and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). About 33% and 26% of patients' spouses showed depression by BDI and HADS, respectively; 14% of them showed anxiety by hospital anxiety scale. Among the subparameters of quality of life in spouses of patients who receive PAP (positive airway pressure) treatment, scores of physical condition, physical role restrictions, and role restrictions due to emotional problems were significantly higher than the ones in spouses of nontreated patients (P < 0.05). Depression scores of spouses of patients who use PAP were significantly lower than the ones who do not use the device (P < 0.05). A significant difference was not found between the two groups by means of anxiety scores (P > 0.05). The use of continuous PAP improves not only the quality of life for OSAS patients but also for their spouses and reduces the spouses' depression risk.

Relationship of Personality Traits With Quality of Life in Spouses of Patients With Physical Disabilities

Relationship of Personality Traits With Quality of Life in Spouses of Patients With Physical Disabilities

Significance of psychological stress response and health-related quality of life in spouses of cancer patients when given bad news

Objective:This study illuminates the degree of psychological stress response experienced by spouses of cancer patients when given bad news at three different times (notification of the name of the disease, notification of recurrence, and notification of terminality) as well as the factors that influence the response and the health status of the spouse as measured by health-related quality of life (QOL).Methods:A total of 203 individuals (57 men and 146 women) who had received the three types of news were surveyed using a self-report questionnaire on psychological stress response, marital satisfaction, and health-related QOL scales.Results:The degree of the psychological stress response was the highest for notification of terminality, followed by notification of the name of the disease, and notification of recurrence. The influencing factors varied depending on the notification period. Although no significant difference was observed for health-related QOL among the three notification types, significant differences were observed for certain items when compared with national standard values.Conclusions:When a notification of terminality, which produced the highest psychological stress response, is given, providing care that considers health-related QOL is necessary not only for patients but also for their spouses.

Psychiatric morbidity, quality of life and marital satisfaction among spouse of men with opioid dependence syndrome: a study from North India

Background: Opioid dependence syndrome has deleterious consequences not only on addict but also on the members of family especially his spouse who is most vulnerable to develop significant psychiatric disorder given the intimate nature of their relationship. Addressing these issues will be beneficial as spouses are important source of moral support and assistance to the substance user’s quest toward abstinence.Methods: For psychiatric morbidity, 100 spouses of men with opioid dependence syndrome were evaluated. Severity of opioid dependence in the husbands was assessed using severity of opioid dependence questioner (SODQ). Quality of life and marital satisfaction was assessed using short form health survey 36 (SF 36) and marital satisfaction scale (MSS) respectively.Results: Data analysis reveals that 33% of spouses had a psychiatric disorder. Primarily mood and anxiety disorder was present in 22% and 9% of subjects respectively. Highly significant difference existed between cases and controls in terms of marital satisfaction (p = 0.0001) and quality of life (p≤0.05) indicating low marital satisfaction and poor quality of life in spouses of opioid dependent individuals.Conclusions: Psychological distress and psychiatric morbidity in spouses of opioid dependent men is high, with poor quality of marital life and marital satisfaction being low. Hence, interventions that aim at allaying their distress and improving their mental health can improve the condition of the substance user and contribute to a better outcome of substance abuse treatment.

Appraisals, perceived dyadic communication, and quality of life over time among couples coping with prostate cancer.

Little research has examined how prostate cancer patients' and their spouses' appraisals of illness and quality of life (QOL) interact with one another. This study examined the interdependent relationships between their appraisals of illness and QOL and if their perceived dyadic communication mediated these relationships. We used the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) approach to conduct a secondary analysis of longitudinal data from 124 prostate cancer patient-spouse dyads. We examined actor effects (each person's influence on his/her own outcomes) and partner effects (each person's influence on his/her partner's outcomes). Appraisals of illness, perceived dyadic communication, and QOL were measured using Appraisal of Illness Scale, Lewis Mutuality and Interpersonal Sensitivity Scale, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy General Scale, respectively. Analyses controlled for effects of prostate cancer symptoms and demographic factors. Among actor effects, spouses with more negative appraisals at baseline perceived worse dyadic communication 4months later (p<.05) and worse QOL 8months later (p<.001). Patients and spouses who perceived more dyadic communication at 4months had better QOL at 8months (p<.01). Among partner effects, there was only weak evidence for an association between patient perceived dyadic communication at 4months and better spouse QOL at 8months of follow-up (p=.05). No mediation effects were found. Patients' and spouses' appraisals of the illness and their dyadic communication were associated with their long-term QOL. Interventions that reduce negative appraisals of illness and promote dyadic communication may improve QOL for both patients with prostate cancer and their spouses.

Quality of Life of Caregiver Spouses of Veterans With Bilateral Lower Extremity Amputations

Background:Providing care for patients with chronic disability affects caregivers’ social lives and relationships and can lead to poor health and lower quality of life.Objectives:In this study, our goal was to assess the quality of life in spouses of war veterans with bilateral lower limb amputations to find factors affecting caregivers’ quality of life.Patients and Methods:In a cross-sectional study, spouses of 244 veterans with war-related bilateral lower limb amputations for at least one year were invited to participate in this study; 189 couples accepted to participate. Information about age, gender, education level, duration of time since amputation, duration of care provided by the spouses and SF-36 questionnaire for both veterans and their spouses were collected.Results:The average age of spouses was 47 years and duration of care provided by spouses was 25 years. We found lower scores for general health domains in amputees’ spouses compared to the general population. Factors correlated with both Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) included the duration of care, duration of marriage, spouses’ education level and the veterans’ PCS and MCS scores. Veterans’ age, spouses’ age and the number of children only correlated with PCS. Veterans’ education level only correlated with MCS. In multivariable analysis, only spouses’ education level correlated with MCS and the veterans’ PCS only correlated with that of spouses.Conclusions:The quality of life of amputees and their spouses were closely correlated; therefore, any improvement in one is likely to improve the other. In addition, lower education level should be considered as a risk factor for poorer quality of life in amputees’ spouses.

Quality of Life in Cancer Patients- A Nursing Perspective

Cancer and its treatment cause many complications with a detrimental effect on quality of life and a significant influence on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in general [5]. As can be seen from the literature review, quality of life is an issue investigated by many researchers, some of whom have done so during chemotherapy [6], radiotherapy and other treatments, such bone marrow transplants [7]. Others referred to quality of life in specific types of cancer (breast, lung, prostate) [8]. Recently, research has been published on quality of life in spouses of breast cancer patients [4]. The aforementioned studies indicated that quality of life is an important consideration when delivering care to cancer patients. The above reports are consistent with Heydarnejad’s statement that “an increasingly important issue in oncology is to evaluate quality of life in cancer patients” [9].

Survivorship After Prostate Cancer Treatment: Spouses' Quality of Life at 36 Months

To determine the long-term effects of prostate cancer treatment on spouse quality of life (QOL) at 36 months following treatment. Descriptive-exploratory; community-based study. Telephone interviews. 95 female spouses of men treated for early-stage prostate cancer. A computer-assisted telephone interview was used to evaluate QOL among spouses of prostate cancer survivors at 36 months after initial prostate cancer treatment. Lymphedema, demographic information, self-reported comorbid diseases or medical issues, and medication usage. Spouses who had more negative appraisal of caregiving had lower sexual satisfaction, poorer cancer-specific QOL, and poorer mental QOL. Spouses who perceived bother related to the patient's sexual or hormone function reported more threatening appraisals of caregiving, less sexual satisfaction, and poorer QOL. Spouses continued to experience negative appraisal of caregiving, which affected QOL 36 months after their husbands' treatment for prostate cancer. Additional studies related to factors that influence spouse QOL during survivorship will help guide clinical practice. Healthcare providers must help spouses find strategies that promote positive coping and lessen negative appraisal. Giving caregivers information early in the treatment process will help them understand what to expect over time. Supporting caregivers and helping them manage stress will enhance QOL during survivorship. Spouses who experienced more bother related to urinary, sexual, and hormonal function experience more stress and worse QOL at 36 months post-treatment. Spouse appraisal can have a significant effect on QOL. Offering counseling to couples following treatment for prostate cancer may improve QOL by helping couples manage relationship intimacy.

The Hearing Impairment Impact–Significant Other Profile (HII-SOP): A Tool to Measure Hearing Loss-Related Quality of Life in Spouses of People with Hearing Loss

Third-party hearing loss-related quality of life (HLQoL) reports measure the third-party disability as a result of communicating regularly with someone with hearing loss. Scales with known psychometric characteristics validated on a diverse subject population are needed in order to describe the activity limitations and participation restrictions experienced by spouses as a result of living with an individual with hearing loss. The purpose of the present study was to develop a scale to measure third-party HLQoL in spouses of people with hearing loss with acceptable psychometric characteristics. This scale is known as the Hearing Impairment Impact-Significant Other Profile (HII-SOP). In Study 1, the initial test items were developed and evaluated with a factor analysis for adequate construct validity. In Study 2, the internal consistency reliability, the validity, and the test-retest reliability of the revised test were evaluated. In Study 1, 120 people between 34 and 87 yr of age participated and in Study 2, 164 people between 23 and 88 yr of age participated. In Study 1, a 41-item questionnaire was developed based on five content areas: physical adjustment, social activities, emotional reaction, intimate relationship, and change in roles. The scale was submitted to a factor analysis to analyze interrelationships among items, determine the underlying dimensions, and select items for the final scale. In Study 2, the internal consistency reliability, construct validity, and test-retest reliability were evaluated in the revised 20-item questionnaire. The internal-consistency reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha. Validity was assessed by observing the correlations of the new scale with well-established scales measuring related constructs: overall health-related quality of life, marital communication, HLQoL, and negative affect, in both the person with hearing loss and the spouse. Test-retest reliability was measured in a subset of the spouses who completed the HII-SOP between 2 and 4 wk after the initial scale was completed. The HII-SOP is a 20-item scale with three subscales which measure: (1) the emotions that arise when having a spouse with hearing loss as well as the impact of the hearing loss on the marital relationship, (2) the impact of the hearing loss on the social life of the spouse, and (3) the communication strategies used by the spouse. The scale and its subscales have adequate internal-consistency reliability suggesting that the 20 items do measure a single construct and the subscales do measure distinct subconstructs. The HII-SOP scale was significantly correlated with measures expected to relate to the construct of third-party disability associated with hearing loss. Finally, the HII-SOP scale has adequate test-retest reliability (r = 0.90) and the 95% critical differences is 19.7 points. The HII-SOP is a scale to measure third-party HLQoL in spouses of individuals with hearing loss. Scores of 20-39 reflect mild third-party disability, scores of 40-59 reflect moderate third-party disability, and scores >60 reflect severe third-party disability associated with hearing loss.

The Caregivers Quality of Life Cancer index scale (CQoLC): an exploratory factor analysis for validation in French cancer patients’ spouses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Caregivers Quality of Life Cancer index scale (CQoLC) in a sample of spouses of French cancer patients. The CQoLC, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 (MOS SF-12) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were administered to 300 spouses aged 21-85years. Clinical data such as severity of cancer, medical treatment and duration of illness were obtained from a review of medical records. An exploratory factor analysis yielded a 23-item measure with one factor explaining 38.76% of the variance: labeled impairment of quality of life. The correlations between this factor and MOS SF-12 were negative for the physical component (ρ=-0.351, p<0.001) and positive for the mental component (ρ=0.184, p<0.005). One-way ANOVA with STAI scores indicated good discriminant validity (F[2, 237]=4.80, p<0.01, η(2)=0.04). Participants with low anxiety had a better quality of life than those with moderate and high anxiety. The findings indicate that the CQoLC has sufficient validity and reliability to assess the impairment of quality of life in spouses of French cancer patients.

Factors influencing the quality of life of spouses of spinal cord injury patients

Objective To explore quality of life (QOL) of spouses of spinal cord injury patients,as well as its influencing factors.Methods Sixty-eight spouses of spinal cord injury patients were recruited as an observation group.At the same time,another 70 healthy married people who had no serious chronic diseases in the family but were matched in gender,age,occupation and education were chosen as a control group.The QOL of all the subjects in both groups was investigated by way of a questionnaire survey.The results of both groups were compared and factors that influenced their QOL were explored.Results The QOL of spouses of spinal cord injury patients,including total QOL ( 3.22 ± 0.37 ),physiological function ( 60.57 ± 14.22 ),psychological state ( 60.09 ± 8.06 ),social relations (63.37 ± 8.10 ) and the living environment (66.86 ± 11.26 ) were significantly lower than in the control group (4.62 ± 0.75 ; 82.48 ± 10.92 ; 86.02 ± 8.75 ; 85.94 ± 10.13 and 83.23 ± 9.54,respectively).The QOL of spouses of spinal cord injury patients was closely related to the patient's injury type,injury position,the treatment protocol,as well as their own gender,vocation and education.Conclusion The QOL of spouses of spinal cord injury patients is significantly lower than that of normal people,and closely related with the patients' injury type,injury position and treatment,as well as their own gender,vocation and education. Key words: Spinal cord injury; Spouses; Quality of life; Influence factors; Surveys

Group Audiologic Rehabilitation for Adults and Their Communication Partners

Group Audiologic Rehabilitation for Adults and Their Communication Partners

Quality of Life with Atrial Fibrillation: Do the Spouses Suffer as Much as the Patients?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can have a significant effect on quality of life (QoL). Other chronic diseases are known to not only affect the patient but to also impact the QoL of persons living with them. Scant data exist on the QoL effect of AF in spouses/significant others (SOs). An anonymous survey regarding the perceived effect of AF on QoL was designed and distributed to both patients and spouses/SOs during an educational symposium about living with AF. Both were asked to fill out the survey independently according to how their life was affected by either their AF or their partner's AF. Questions included demographics, perceived impairment of overall QoL on a 5-point scale, as well as effect on subcategories of QoL, namely daily activity, work life, sex life, physical activity, psychological well-being, and social activity. Five hundred and sixty-eight subjects completed the survey of which 411 were AF patients and 129 were spouses/SOs. The perceived effect of AF on overall QoL (N = 527) was similar in patients and spouses (AF patients: mild 42.0%, moderate 26.0%, severe 32.0% vs. spouses: 44.1%, 25.2%, 31.7%; P = 0.917). This result did not change when adjusted for age and gender. There was also no significant difference between patients and spouses in the subcategories of QoL with the exception of the perceived effect on work life, which was greater in patients than spouses (P = 0.041). AF has a similar perceived impact on the QoL of spouses and patients. QoL improvement strategies for patients with AF should take spouses into account.

Long-term quality of life after radical prostatectomy in wives of men in the postoperative adjuvant androgen deprivation trial

We examined quality of life in spouses of men in the Post-Adjuvant Androgen Deprivation trial after radical prostatectomy. Men at high risk of prostate cancer recurrence were randomized to receive androgen deprivation therapy or observation. Forty-three couples completed telephone interviews every 6 months for 2 years assessing women's mood disturbance, mental and physical health, and sexual function and bother as well as men's symptoms and sociodemographic and marital variables. We used linear mixed modeling to explore relationships between wives' quality of life and time, treatment group, and men's symptoms. Women's mental health functioning improved over time (p < 0.05). Furthermore, women with husbands in the observation group had worse mood disturbance (p = 0.01) and poorer mental health (p = 0.02) than women with husbands in treatment. Men's symptoms were associated with worse physical health in wives (p = 0.02). Women also reported worse sexual function at 18 and 24 months compared with baseline (p = 0.02), but ratings of sexual bother were unrelated to time, treatment, and symptoms. These exploratory results are consistent with research demonstrating that spousal cancer-related distress decreases over time. Treatment group differences suggest that an examination of caregiving in the context of uncertainty is warranted. Also, the physical burden of caregiving may intensify when men have more symptoms. To inform interventions, future studies should clarify how treatment and symptoms influence wives' distress by examining expectations and communication.

The Effects of Social Support on Quality of Life in Spouses of Postoperative Gastric Cancer Patients

The Effects of Social Support on Quality of Life in Spouses of Postoperative Gastric Cancer Patients