Affective temperament and the caretaking of cancer inpatients: Implications to psychological wellbeing and perceived burden

Authors

  • Renata Alexandre Ferreira Hospital Escola Universidade Federal de Pelotas
  • Suzane Busatta Ignachewski Hospital Escola Universidade Federal de Pelotas
  • Hudson W. de Carvalho Departamento de Psicologia Universidade Federal de Pelotas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/ctc.2016.92.03

Abstract

The current study aimed to advance on the understanding of the relationship between affective temperaments and the care of cancer in patients by examining the prevalence of temperament types and the associations of these variables with measures of psychological well-being and caregivers burden in a sample of primary caregivers. 53 caregivers (45 women) participated voluntarily and answered questionnaires that assessed variables related to socio-demographic and temperament characteristics, psychological well-being, and caregiving burden. Results showed a higher prevalence of stable affective temperaments (euthymic, hyperthymic and obsessive) among the assessed caregivers (56.6%) and these types showed better psychological adjustment indicators in specific domains of wellbeing and perceived caregivers burden (t> 2.0; p <0.05). Caregivers with stable temperament have better psychological adjustment and temperament seems to be an important variable in the designation of the person who will face the role of primary caregiver of a cancer patient.

Keywords: temperament, primary caregiver, cancer, psychological well-being, psychological assessment.

Author Biographies

Renata Alexandre Ferreira, Hospital Escola Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Psicóloga do Hospital Escola da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel). Psicóloga pela Universidade Católica de Pelotas (UCPel) e especialista em Psicologia da Saúde pelo Programa de Residencia Multiprofissional em Saúde da UFPel.

Suzane Busatta Ignachewski, Hospital Escola Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Psicóloga da UNIMED de Chapecó. Especialista em Psicologia da Saúde pelo Programa de Residencia Multiprofissional em Saúde da UFPel.

Hudson W. de Carvalho, Departamento de Psicologia Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Professor adjunto do curso de Psicologia da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel). Doutor em Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica pela Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), mestre em Psicologia do Desenvolvimento e Psicólogo pela Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG).

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Published

2016-05-16

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2016): Jul-Dec

Section

Articles

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