Quality of sleep in Turkish family caregivers of cancer patients

Cancer Nurs. 2009 Sep-Oct;32(5):370-7. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e3181a87fb9.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the quality of sleep, reasons for sleep disturbances, and nonpharmacological strategies versus sleep disturbances of cancer patients' family caregivers. A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used. Ninety family caregivers were included. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), demographic data form, and open-ended questions about reasons for sleep disturbances and nonpharmacological strategies used by family caregivers. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis, and Bonferoni-corrected Mann-Whitney U test were performed using SPSS program. The PSQI score of 72.22% of the caregivers was above 5, which indicated poor sleep quality. The most commonly determined reasons for sleep disturbances were "emotional distress because of the patient's illness" (83.33%), "financial problems" (36.66%), and "inadequate support system" (34.44%); 76.92% of caregivers used at least 1 nonpharmacological strategy, which included mostly "lifestyle practices" (54.28%) and "behavioral practices" (25.71%). The total PSQI scores of caregivers having an illness were significantly higher than those of caregivers having no illness (Z = 3.230; P = .001). Total PSQI scores did not differ by sex, age, education, marital status, or duration of caregiving (P > .05). This study implies that caregivers are in need of support by healthcare professionals to provide a positive environment during the care process.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Caregivers / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology
  • Sleep*
  • Social Support
  • Stress, Psychological / complications*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Turkey / epidemiology