Research article

Coping strategies and social support among caregivers of patients with cancer: a cross-sectional study in Vietnam

  • Received: 12 October 2020 Accepted: 08 December 2020 Published: 11 December 2020
  • Research on coping strategies and social support among Vietnamese cancer caregivers remains limited. In this study, we aim to examine the relationships between types of coping strategies utilized and social support among cancer caregivers. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in three main cancer hospitals in the Northern, Central and Southern regions of Vietnam. The 28-item Brief COPE Inventory (BCI) Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were utilized. Descriptive statistics and multivariate linear regression were performed. Active coping, acceptance and positive reframing were the most used coping strategies among participants, while substance use was the least commonly used. Level of social support was positively correlated with the utilization of coping mechanisms. Receiving high social support and utilizing positive coping strategies enables caregivers to mitigate their caregiving burden, control the situation and enhance their own quality of life.

    Citation: Nguyen Xuan Long, Nguyen Bao Ngoc, Tran Thi Phung, Dao Thi Dieu Linh, Ta Nhat Anh, Nguyen Viet Hung, Nguyen Thi Thang, Nguyen Thi Mai Lan, Vu Thu Trang, Nguyen Hiep Thuong, Nguyen Van Hieu, Hoang Van Minh. Coping strategies and social support among caregivers of patients with cancer: a cross-sectional study in Vietnam[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2021, 8(1): 1-14. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2021001

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  • Research on coping strategies and social support among Vietnamese cancer caregivers remains limited. In this study, we aim to examine the relationships between types of coping strategies utilized and social support among cancer caregivers. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in three main cancer hospitals in the Northern, Central and Southern regions of Vietnam. The 28-item Brief COPE Inventory (BCI) Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were utilized. Descriptive statistics and multivariate linear regression were performed. Active coping, acceptance and positive reframing were the most used coping strategies among participants, while substance use was the least commonly used. Level of social support was positively correlated with the utilization of coping mechanisms. Receiving high social support and utilizing positive coping strategies enables caregivers to mitigate their caregiving burden, control the situation and enhance their own quality of life.



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    Acknowledgments



    The authors sincerely thank the Tan Trieu National Cancer Hospital, Ho Chi Minh Oncology Hospital, Da Nang Oncology Hospital, and the patients and their caregivers for their valuable contribution to this study. We would also like to acknowledge the interviewers who contributed to the data collection process. We also wish to thank Allison Shaffer and Hoang Thao Anh for English language support. Nguyen Xuan Long and Nguyen Bao Ngoc contributed equally to this paper.

    Funding



    This research is funded by the Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) under grant number 501.01-2018.302.

    Ethical considerations



    Our study was approved by The Institutional Review Board of Hanoi University of Public Health in Vietnam (Decision No 424/2019/YTCC-HD3). All participants were notified of the study information, informed of their rights as study participants and provided informed consent voluntary.

    Conflict of interest



    All authors declare no conflicts of interest in this paper.

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