Psychological distress and coping strategies among caregivers of children with cancer: a cross-sectional study

Background: Caregivers of children with cancer often experience significant psychological distress exacerbated by financial constraints and role modifications. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among caregivers of children receiving cancer treatment and to examine their coping mechanisms. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 124 caregivers of children receiving chemotherapy at a tertiary care facility in Northern India. Inclusion criteria included caregivers more than 18 years of age, engaged in child care for at least 3 months, accompanying them for chemotherapy and understanding Hindi or English. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The coping strategies were evaluated using a Brief Coping Orientation to the Problem-Experienced inventory. Results: The mean age of the caregivers was 34.50 +/- 7.60 years, with the majority being male (62.1%). Over one-third of the caregivers (37.9%) reported abnormal anxiety levels, while 44.4% exhibited borderline depression. A significant moderate positive correlation was found between anxiety and depression (r = 0.676, p < 0.001). The most commonly used coping mechanisms are active coping and self-distraction. Multiple regression analysis revealed self-blame, acceptance and planning as significant coping strategies for anxiety, while self-blame, planning and religion were significant for depression. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of the caregivers experienced anxiety and depression. Emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies were the most frequently employed. These findings highlight the need for psychosocial support and interventions to foster healthier coping skills among caregivers of children with cancer.