The Effect of Home Education Provided to Caregivers of Children with Cancer on Caregiving Burden, Depression and Life Satisfaction

Aim: In this study; It was aimed to reduce the care burden, decrease depression levels and increase life satisfaction by providing training to the caregivers of children with cancer. Method: The research was designed as pre-test post-test, single group and semi-experimental. The target population of the study consisted of family members who give care for children with cancer patients. The study was conducted with 30 family members between May 2017 and September 2018, without using the sampling method, who met the criteria for participation in the study. "Information Forms Describing Patients and Caregivers, Caregiving Burden Scale, Beck Depression Scale and Life Satisfaction Scale" were used in data collection. In analysis the data; percent distribution and t test in independent groups was used. Results: In the study, the caregivers' total mean score on the Caregiving Burden Scale was found to be 53.63±11.67 before the training and 44.76±6.99 after the training. Beck Depression Scale total score average before 13.23±5.01 and after training It was found to be 9.03±3.66. The mean total score of the Life Satisfaction Scale was found to be 20.16±7.01 before the training and 25.23±5.22 after the training. These differences between the average scores were determined to be statistically significant (p<0.01). Conclusion: It has been found that education given to caregivers of children with cancer is effective in reducing the burden on caregivers, decreasing their depression levels, and increasing their life satisfaction.