The predictive factors for perceived social support among cancer patients and caregiver burden of their family caregivers in Turkish population

Objectives: We aimed to identify the predictive factors for the perceived family social support among cancer patients and caregiver burden of their family caregivers.Methods: Participants were 302 cancer patients and their family caregivers. Family social support scale was used for cancer patients, burden interview was used for family caregivers.All subjects also completed Beck depression invantery. The related socio-demographical factors with perceived social support (PSS) and caregiver burden were evaluated by correlation analysis. To find independent factors predicting caregiver burden and PSS, logistic regression analysis were conducted.Results: Depression scores was higher among patients than their family caregivers (12.5 vs. 8). PSS was lower in depressed patients (p<.001). Family caregiver burden were also higher in depressive groups (p<.001). Among patients only the depression was negatively correlated with PSS (p<.001, r=-2.97). Presence of depression (p<.001, r=0.381) was positively correlated and family caregiver role was negatively correlated (p<.001, r=-0.208) with caregiver burden. Presence of depression was the independent predictor for both, lower PSS for patients and higher burden for caregivers.Conclusions: The results of this study is noteworthy because it may help for planning any supportive care program not only for patients but together with their caregiver at the same time during chemotherapy period in Turkish population.