BMC Psychol. 2026 Jul 7. doi: 10.1186/s40359-026-05078-0. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cancer caregiving imposes substantial physical, psychological, and social burdens, particularly in resource-limited settings such as Palestine. However, evidence regarding factors associated with caregiver quality of life (QoL) in this context remains limited.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 302 primary caregivers of cancer patients recruited from five major Palestinian hospitals between March and September 2025. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, including the validated Arabic version of the SF-36v2. QoL was assessed across physical and mental domains. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multiple linear regression models were applied to identify independent predictors.
RESULTS: The mean age of caregivers was 36.5 ± 12.3 years, and most were female (67.9%) and married (69.9%). Overall QoL was moderate (mean total score = 56.38 ± 16.00), with lower mental than physical component scores (MCS: 52.53 ± 17.31 vs. PCS: 60.23 ± 17.53). Regression analysis showed that higher education and middle income were independent protective factors for overall, physical, and mental QoL (p < 0.05). In contrast, being a housewife, having a chronic illness, experiencing marital dissolution, and being the patient’s daughter were associated with poorer outcomes. Gender and residency were not independent predictors after adjustment.
CONCLUSION: Caregiver QoL is primarily shaped by socioeconomic position and family role rather than demographic characteristics alone. Targeted psychosocial and financial support strategies are needed to reduce caregiver burden in vulnerable subgroups.
PMID:42410456 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-026-05078-0
