TY - JOUR
T1 - The association between episodic listening and the burden of primary informal caregivers of cancer patients – An explorative cross-sectional study
AU - Sapir, Hadas
AU - Gabay, Gillie
AU - Shafran-Tikva, Sigal
AU - Zax, Rivka Binyamin
AU - Friedlander, Sivan Yais
AU - Monas, Liza
AU - Dadon, Malka
AU - Kalman, Tamar
AU - Chawa, Ornit
AU - Ahmad, Wiessam Abu
AU - Alon, Rely
AU - Benbenishty, Julie
AU - Zelker, Revital
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2026/2
Y1 - 2026/2
N2 - Purpose: The growing prevalence of cancer and of the responsibilities of primary informal caregivers calls for exploring the burden of caregivers. Communication with providers has become a major responsibility of caregivers increasing their burden. Despite the harmful consequences of caregiver burden (CB), little is known regarding mitigators of CB. The perceived high quality of communication with providers may be a mitigator of CB which is yet to be tested. Therefore, this study tests the association of episodic listening behaviors of providers and CB among caregivers of cancer patients. We hypothesize that constructive listening behaviors of nurses will shape the extent of CB. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, hospitalized oncology patients gave their consent to approach their informal primary caregivers and requested their consent to participate by completing anonymous questionnaires. Study variables included the Zarit Burden Interview and the abbreviated Constructive and Destructive Listening questionnaires. Statistical analyses used Pearson correlations and multivariable linear regression. Results: The sample comprised 80 primary caregivers of cancer patients. 65 % were women, 65 % were religious, and the average age was 51 years. Mean CB was 27.21 (SD-16.39). CB was positively associated with destructive listening (r = 0.400, p = 0.000) and negatively associated with constructive listening (r = -0.223, p = 0.000). Multivariable linear regression identified destructive listening as a significant antecedent (β = 0.265; t = 2.007; p = 0.049), explaining 14.7 % of the variance in CB (R2 = 0.0192; MS = 568.147; df = 6; F = 2.7; p = < 0.002). Conclusions: Although episodic listening is a key component of nursing ethics and fundamental to relationships with patients, caregivers of cancer patients may be ignored. To reduce CB, nurses should eradicate destructive listening and promote constructive listening forging higher quality communication with patients.
AB - Purpose: The growing prevalence of cancer and of the responsibilities of primary informal caregivers calls for exploring the burden of caregivers. Communication with providers has become a major responsibility of caregivers increasing their burden. Despite the harmful consequences of caregiver burden (CB), little is known regarding mitigators of CB. The perceived high quality of communication with providers may be a mitigator of CB which is yet to be tested. Therefore, this study tests the association of episodic listening behaviors of providers and CB among caregivers of cancer patients. We hypothesize that constructive listening behaviors of nurses will shape the extent of CB. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, hospitalized oncology patients gave their consent to approach their informal primary caregivers and requested their consent to participate by completing anonymous questionnaires. Study variables included the Zarit Burden Interview and the abbreviated Constructive and Destructive Listening questionnaires. Statistical analyses used Pearson correlations and multivariable linear regression. Results: The sample comprised 80 primary caregivers of cancer patients. 65 % were women, 65 % were religious, and the average age was 51 years. Mean CB was 27.21 (SD-16.39). CB was positively associated with destructive listening (r = 0.400, p = 0.000) and negatively associated with constructive listening (r = -0.223, p = 0.000). Multivariable linear regression identified destructive listening as a significant antecedent (β = 0.265; t = 2.007; p = 0.049), explaining 14.7 % of the variance in CB (R2 = 0.0192; MS = 568.147; df = 6; F = 2.7; p = < 0.002). Conclusions: Although episodic listening is a key component of nursing ethics and fundamental to relationships with patients, caregivers of cancer patients may be ignored. To reduce CB, nurses should eradicate destructive listening and promote constructive listening forging higher quality communication with patients.
KW - Burden
KW - Cancer
KW - Caregivers
KW - Communication quality
KW - Episodic listening
KW - Listening behaviors
KW - Nurses
KW - Patients
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105023087426
U2 - 10.1016/j.pec.2025.109431
DO - 10.1016/j.pec.2025.109431
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C2 - 41308256
AN - SCOPUS:105023087426
SN - 0738-3991
VL - 143
JO - Patient Education and Counseling
JF - Patient Education and Counseling
M1 - 109431
ER -