A psychological analysis of cancer patients and their next-of-kin.

摘要: A supportive family environment is thought to enhance the capacity of cancer patients adapt their illness and treatment. But families, like patients, vary in ability cope with impact a diagnosis member fulfill patient's needs. Increased understanding interrelationships between family's responses fundamental importance care patient cancer. heterogeneous sample 201 relatives were studied determine compatibility psychological status isolate clinical demographic variables associated distress. Self-report tests anxiety, mood disturbance, mental health applied. Despite large individual variation, matched was closely correlated. The treatment affected both next-of-kin. Psychological well-being worsened according whether receiving follow-up care, active treatment, or palliative therapy. These data suggest mutuality response families. Supportive intervention for relative who manifests distress, therefore, should benefit both. Because involved are most need assistance, particular attention be paid this group, as attempted hospice care.