Co-afflicted but invisible: A qualitative study of perceptions among informal caregivers in cancer care

Mattias Tranberg; Magdalena Andersson; Mef Nilbert; Birgit H. Rasmussen

doi:10.1177/1359105319890407

Co-afflicted but invisible: A qualitative study of perceptions among informal caregivers in cancer care

Mattias Tranberg, Magdalena Andersson, Mef Nilbert, Birgit H. Rasmussen

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This article explores the lived experience of informal caregivers in cancer care, focusing on the perceived burden and needs of individuals seeking support from an informal group for next of kin. A total of 28 individuals who were closely related to a patient with cancer participated in focus group interviews. Three themes were identified: setting aside one’s own needs, assuming the role of project manager, and losing one’s sense of identity. Together they form the framing theme: being co-afflicted. The characteristics of informal caregivers are shown to be similar to those of people with codependency, motivating development of targeted interventions from this perspective.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1850-1859
Number of pages	10
Journal	Journal of Health Psychology
Volume	26
Issue number	11
Early online date	2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105319890407
Publication status	Published - 2021 Sep 1

Subject classification (UKÄ)

Nursing

Keywords

cancer
codependency
family caregivers
oncology
spouse caregivers

Access to Document

10.1177/1359105319890407Licence: CC BY-NC

1 Doctoral Thesis (compilation)

Communication about serious illness as a relational process
Tranberg, M., 2023, Lund: Lund University, Faculty of Medicine. 76 p.
Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis (compilation)

Cite this

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title = "Co-afflicted but invisible: A qualitative study of perceptions among informal caregivers in cancer care",

abstract = "This article explores the lived experience of informal caregivers in cancer care, focusing on the perceived burden and needs of individuals seeking support from an informal group for next of kin. A total of 28 individuals who were closely related to a patient with cancer participated in focus group interviews. Three themes were identified: setting aside one{\textquoteright}s own needs, assuming the role of project manager, and losing one{\textquoteright}s sense of identity. Together they form the framing theme: being co-afflicted. The characteristics of informal caregivers are shown to be similar to those of people with codependency, motivating development of targeted interventions from this perspective.",

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KW - codependency

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KW - oncology

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ER -

Co-afflicted but invisible: A qualitative study of perceptions among informal caregivers in cancer care

Abstract

Subject classification (UKÄ)

Keywords

Access to Document

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Research output

Communication about serious illness as a relational process

Cite this