A pilot study to assess stress and coping among primary caregivers of patients with leukemia

Background: Caring hematologic cancer patients by the caregivers is very stressful. Aim of the study was to assess stress and coping among the caregivers. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive pilot study, stress and coping was assessed with Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and BRIEF-COPE scale respectively in 30 primary family caregivers of hematologic cancer patients. Results: Among caregivers 63.33% had moderate stress, 33.33% had mild stress and 3.33% had severe stress. Also 93.33% had average while 6.67% had good coping skills. While stress was significantly related to government job employee and to nuclear families, no significant relation of coping with any demographic variables was seen. Caregivers adopted both active and passive coping. Conclusion: Most of the caregivers of hematologic cancer patients experience moderate stress and had average coping skills. It is important to establish a care program, so that caregivers can maintain their own health and provide the best care to the patient.