Exploring the Depression, Anxiety, Quality of Life and Self-Efficacy of Oncological Patients and Their Caregivers: A Literature Review

Rezumat

Coping with cancer is a difficult experience for both the person diagnosed and the family. It has been found that the dyad consisting of the patient and the caregiver responds to the threat of the disease as a unique emotional system. Therefore, in recent years the focus of research and psychological interventions has shifted from person to the dyad. This paper reviews the literature to: a) highlight the main psychological consequences faced by cancer patients and their caregivers: depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, decreased quality of life, and relationships between them; b) summarise the directions of psychological intervention as they result from the studies. The conclusion of this paper advocates for the need for psychological evaluation and support for both oncological patients and their caregivers.