Stress Levels and Coping Strategies Among Caregivers of Breast Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Central Kerala

Background. Cancer profoundly affects both patients and their caregivers, making it a devastating illness. This study aimed to assess stress levels and their correlation with coping strategies among primary caregivers of breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy post-mastectomy. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2023 and 2024. Primary caregivers of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy following mastectomy were randomly selected. Coping strategies were evaluated using the modified Brief COPE Scale, while stress levels were measured using the Kingston Carer Stress Scale. Data were statistically analyzed. Results. A total of 80 participants (34 males and 46 females, aged 18 to 65) were included. Moderate stress was experienced by 55 participants (68.8%), 23 (28.7%) experienced mild stress, and two (2.5%) experienced severe stress. Regarding coping, 63 participants (78.8%) demonstrated average strategies, while 14 (17.5%) exhibited good strategies. A significant negative correlation ($r = -0.241$, $95\%$ CI $[-0.903, -0.1028] $, $p = 0.037$) was found between stress and coping strategies. Additionally, significant associations were identified between coping strategies and sociodemographic factors such as income ($p = 0.001$) and educational status ($p = 0.007$). A significant correlation also existed between coping and the age of patients ($r = 0.248$, $95\%$ CI $[0.024, 0.511] $, $p = 0.032$). However, no significant relationships were found between stress and other sociodemographic variables. Conclusion. A significant negative correlation exists between stress and coping strategies among caregivers. Consequently, fostering positive coping mechanisms may help manage caregiver stress and ultimately enhance the quality of patient care.