How illness perception congruence between patients with cancer and caregivers affects their anxiety and depression levels

Abstract Background: This study aimed to investigate the similarities or discrepancies in illness perception between patients with cancer and their primary caregivers by examining the predictive effect of illness congruence on anxiety and depression in both patients and caregivers. Methods: A total of 106 patients with cancer with outpatient chemotherapy aged 18–65 years ( M = 49.60; SD = 11.35; 60.4% female) and 106 caregivers aged 18–65 years ( M = 42.97; SD = 12.51; 50.9% female) participated in the study, which was conducted at the outpatient chemotherapy unit of a large public hospital. Data were collected through convenience sampling using a cross-sectional design. Depression and anxiety levels were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, whereas illness perception was measured using the Brief Illness Perception Scale. Results: Multiple hierarchical regression analysis determined that higher illness perception congruence significantly predicted higher anxiety levels in patients with cancer after controlling for demographic variables. Conclusion: The results revealed that higher illness perception congruence between patients and their caregivers was associated with increased anxiety in patients with cancer. Both patients and caregivers perceiving the illness negatively might have accounted for the higher anxiety levels of the patients. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate and emphasize the vital role of further dyadic investigations, in which family members are also involved.