Application of family-based dignity therapy program in primary caregivers of advanced cancer patients

Abstract

To explore the effects of family-based dignity therapy on negative emotions, post-traumatic growth, family cohesion and adaptability in primary caregivers of advanced cancer patients, so as to provide the reference for clinical implementation of family-based dignity therapy. A non-synchronous controlled clinical trial design was adopted. A total of 38 pairs of advanced cancer patients and their primary caregivers who were hospitalized were conveniently selected as the control group for routine care. A total of 38 pairs of advanced cancer patients and their primary caregivers who were hospitalized from were selected as the experimental group, and family-based dignity therapy program was administered on the basis of the control group. Before intervention, 1 and 4 weeks after intervention, hospital anxiety and depression scale, post-traumatic growth inventory, family adaptability and cohesion evaluation scale-II were used to evaluate the intervention effect. At the first and fourth week after the intervention, the anxiety score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group, the post-traumatic growth level was higher than that of the control group, and the family function at the 4th week after the intervention was better than that of the control group, with statistical significance (p < .05). The time effect, inter-group effect and interaction effect were statistically significant in the comparison of anxiety score, post-traumatic growth level and family function between the two groups at different time points (p < .05). There was no significant difference in time effect, inter-group effect and interaction effect between depression levels (p > .05). Family-based dignity therapy program can significantly alleviate the anxiety of the primary caregivers of advanced cancer patients, enhance their post-traumatic growth level, and effectively improve family function, which has certain promotion value in clinical care.

Keywords

cancer / family function / family-based dignity therapy / post-traumatic growth

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RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2025 The Author(s). Precision Medical Sciences published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital.