Family survivorship and quality of life following a cancer diagnosis

The objectives of this study were: (a) to examine the quality of life of th e family as a unit during the long-term survivor phase of illness and (b) t o test a family model of factors that may influence family quality of life. The family survivorship model, which includes illness survival stressors ( family stressors, fear of recurrence, and patient somatic concerns), resour ces (family hardiness and family social support), appraisal (family meaning of the illness), and the outcome, family quality of life, was used to guid e this exploratory cross-sectional study. A random, stratified sample of 12 3 families (N = 246 individuals) was interviewed 1-5 years after treatment ended. The model explained 63% of the variance in family quality of life, w ith the strongest predictors being concurrent family stressors, family soci al support, family member fear of recurrence, family meaning of the illness , and patient employment status. The study findings suggest the importance of addressing cancer-related stressors, family resources, and family meanin g as key factors related to family quality of life. (C) 2001 John Wiley & S ons, Inc.