Comparative study on experience of meaning in life and death attitudes for caregivers of cancer patients and general people

In the process of caring, caregivers of cancer patients face difficult experiences and multiple stressors which directly affect their attitudes and psychological health. Purpose- The current study aimed to compare the meaning of life and attitude towards death between caregivers of cancer patients and general people.

It is a causal-comparative research study. Through visiting the Firoozgar Hospital and Roshana Cancer Center, a total of 52 individuals who had and cared for one first-degree relative affected with cancer for the past year were selected as the convenience sample. However, another group with no experience of caring cancer patient was selected as the convenience sample and matched with the first group. Both were asked to complete the Meaningful in Life Questionnaires (MLQ; Steger, Frazier, Oishi & Kaler, 2006) and the Death Attitude Profile (DAP) - Revised (Wang, Racker & Gasser, 1994). Data was analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance.

Data analysis showed that those experiencing care, anxiety, and avoidance of death reported higher scores in death attitudes death compared to general people, although there were no significant differences in meaning in life.

Cancer patient caregivers face uncertain future and worsening conditions for patients; which develop anxiety, and avoidance of death.