Sleep loss and its effects on health of family caregivers of individuals with primary malignant brain tumors

Jean D. Pawl, Shih Yu Lee, Patricia C. Clark, Paula R. Sherwood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sleep loss places caregivers at risk for poor health. Understanding correlates of sleep loss and relationships to health may enable improvement of health of caregivers of individuals with primary malignant brain tumors (PMBT). In this cross-sectional, descriptive study of 133 caregivers, relationships were examined between sleep loss and physical, mental, emotional, and social health at time of patient diagnosis. Sleep loss was not related to physical health. Shorter total sleep time was associated with greater fatigue and social support. Sleep quality was positively associated with quality of life. Further study is needed of the role of sleep loss in the PMBT caregiving trajectory and its long-term relationship with health outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)386-399
Number of pages14
JournalResearch in Nursing and Health
Volume36
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Brain tumor
  • Cancer
  • Caregivers
  • Cytokines
  • Depression
  • Sleep

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing

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