"Resilient Caregivers" - A Resilience-based Intervention for Distressed Partner Cancer Caregivers

"Resilient Caregivers" - A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Resilience-based Intervention for Distressed Partner Caregivers of Cancer Patients

The objective of this study is to develop and test the effectiveness of a resilience-based intervention for distressed partner caregivers of cancer patients in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and distress, while improving quality of life and resilience (meta-reflective skill, values clarification and coping strategies).

Informal caregivers of cancer patients often experience significant psychological distress, which may even exceed that of the patient's. Partners or spouses are typically the most important caregiver and emotional support person for the cancer patient, but there is a lack of psychological interventions that specifically target caregiving partners. "Resilient Caregivers" is a novel 7-session group-based program aimed specifically at improving the participant's ability to cope with the stresses of being a partner to a cancer patient. In this randomized trial, the investigators aim to assess the potential efficacy of this program in improving the caregiver's resilience and quality of life, as well as reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and distress. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12-months follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Partner/Spouse to a patient diagnosed with Stage I-III cancer and receiving cancer treatment at Herlev Hospital
• Patient performance status 1 or 2
• Distress Thermometer score > 4
• Able to speak and understand Danish
• Has given written informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Being a cancer patient
• Has untreated psychopathology or physical impairment that may prevent attendance and participation in the study
• Active substance abuse