Factors Related to Emotional Instability in Spouses of Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Chemotherapy

Misako Hisamatsu; Yumiko Tsutsumi; Izumi Nishida; Harumi Arai; Mami Ueda; Hiroko Kodama; Naomi Hirata

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Factors Related to Emotional Instability in Spouses of Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Chemotherapy

VernacularTitle:緩和的化学療法を受けているがん患者の配偶者の気持ちの不安定さに関わる要因の探究
Author: Misako HISAMATSU ¹ ; Yumiko TSUTSUMI ¹ ; Izumi NISHIDA ² ; Harumi ARAI ³ ; Mami UEDA ⁴ ; Hiroko KODAMA ⁵ ; Naomi HIRATA ⁶
Author Information

1. School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University
2. Nursing Department, Kagoshima Kouseiren Hospital
3. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Shubun University
4. Chiba Prefectural University of Health Sciences
5. Nursing Department, Nanpuh Hospital
6. Former, Kagoshima Immaculate Heart University
Keywords: cancer patient; palliative chemotherapy; spouse; emotional instability
From:Palliative Care Research 2019;14(3):227-235
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: Objective: To clarify factors related to emotional instability in spouses of cancer patients receiving palliative chemotherapy. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with spouses of cancer patients receiving palliative chemotherapy, and the obtained data were qualitatively and inductively analyzed. Results: Through analysis, 9 related factors were identified: “realizing the severity of the situation when receiving an explanation of the pathological condition”, “an unclear prognosis”, “fear of losing any treatments”, “being pressed for treatment-related decision-making”, “increased daily burdens by the care”, “collapse the visions of the family future”, “communication with medical professionals”,“candid dialogues with the patient”, and “relationships with others”. Conclusion: It may be important for nurses to help families of cancer patients realistically manage their situation without excessive confusion, even when they experience emotional instability, and spend meaningful time with patients as an outcome of treatment, with an understanding of these related factors on such emotional instability.