Calidad de vida a nivel psicológico en cuidadores primarios de pacientes con enfermedades oncológicas pediátricas.

Abstract

Cancer is a disease that begins with the alteration of a single cell and can subsequently spread to multiple organs in the body; it can become fatal in the absence of treatment (WHO, 2021). Since caring for a child diagnosed with cancer constitutes a challenging emotional task, it can impact the caregiver's quality of life and well-being (Lewandowska, 2022). The present study aims to elaborate a qualitative literature review of the quality of life at the psychological level in primary caregivers of patients with pediatric oncological diseases. The review was conducted by systematically searching updated scientific articles in databases and digital repositories such as Dialnet, SciELO, Scopus, Taylor and Francis, and Web of Science. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, thirty articles were selected for the review. Based on the results, it was found that the intervening variables in the quality of life of primary caregivers include their personality, coping strategies, stress, and family functioning; the economic position of a family was also identified as influencing the caregivers' quality of life, as well as the age of the parents and children at the time of diagnosis. The disorders that were most related to primary caregivers were anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders.