Perceived relationship inequity and self-perceived burden among cancer patients

Abstract

The present study examined the prevalence of SPB and perceived inequity among cancer patients, as well as their relationships with patients’ anxiety symptoms. We hypothesized that cancer patients who report higher levels of SPB would experience higher levels of anxiety. Patients who perceived greater over-benefit from the patient-caregiver relationship were also expected to experience higher levels of anxiety. Relationship equity measure (Kuijer et al., 2002), Self-perceived Burden Scale (SPBS; Simmons, 2007), and Chinese Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (C-HADS; Leung, Ho, Kan, & Hung, 1993; Zigmond & Snaith, 1983) were administered to 87 Chinese cancer patients undergoing active cancer treatments at a public hospital in Hong Kong. The majority (77%) of participants reported high level of SPB with a cut-off score of =20 on SPBS. In terms of perceived equity in the patient-caregiver relationship, 45% of participants perceived that they were over-benefited; similarly, 45% of them appraised the balance as equitable. Only 10% of them reported that they were being under-benefited. Results from correlation and multiple-linear regression analyses revealed that: 1) SPB was positively associated with anxiety symptoms; 2) perceived relationship inequity was positively correlated to anxiety symptoms; and 3) SPB and perceived relationship inequity were significant predictors of anxiety symptoms. Our findings suggest that SPB is a prevalent social experience among cancer patients receiving cancer treatments. Cancer patients’ perceived over-benefit and sense of being a burden in patient-caregiver relationship are clinically relevant to their mental health.