Anxiety, Depression, and Caregiver Burden Among Family Caregivers of Cancer Survivors

Family caregivers of cancer survivors face significant psychological challenges, yet their experiences are less studied compared to caregivers of patients undergoing treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess levels of anxiety, depression, and caregiver burden among family caregivers of cancer survivors and to examine the factors associated with these psychological outcomes.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 324 family caregivers recruited from three oncology clinics in Oman.

The mean age of participants was 39.0 years (SD = 11.5), with most being male (62.7%) and employed (54.3%). The prevalence of anxiety and depression among caregivers was 28.4% and 26.2%, respectively. Higher caregiving burden scores were strongly associated with increased odds of anxiety (OR = 1.06, p = 0.002) and depression (OR = 1.04, p = 0.047). Male caregivers and rural residents reported higher anxiety levels, while unmarried caregivers were at greater risk for depression.

Family caregivers of cancer survivors experience significant psychological distress, particularly those with higher caregiving burden or vulnerable sociodemographic characteristics. These findings underscore the need for targeted mental health interventions such as psychoeducation, emotional support, and access to mental health services to reduce caregiver distress. Addressing their needs is critical to sustaining effective caregiving roles.