Quality of Life and Health Status of Dyads of Women With Lung Cancer and Family Members

Purpose/Objectives: To describe and compare the quality of life (QOL) and health status of dyads of women with lung cancer and their family members and to explore the correlates of family members' QOL.

Research Approach: Descriptive, cross-sectional.

Setting: Interview, self-report.

Participants: 51 dyads consisting of women with lung cancer and their family members.

Methodologic Approach: One-time assessment of family members' and patients' QOL, health status, and demographics and patients' clinical characteristics.

Main Research Variables: Family and patient QOL and health status.

Findings: QOL of the dyads was not significantly related. Poorer physical QOL of family members was associated with older age, comorbid conditions, less education, and alcohol use. Poorer emotional QOL of family members was associated with younger age, depressed mood, and not being a spouse. Fifty-nine percent of family members had comorbid conditions. Significantly more family members continued to smoke and use alcohol.

Conclusions: The QOL of family members of patients with lung cancer is diminished when their own health status is compromised. Further study is needed.

Interpretation: Additional study is needed to identify family members at risk for diminished QOL and with compromised health status because these factors might affect ability to support patients with lung cancer.