Caregiver at risk for feeling distress:
(1) adult child of the patient AND employed, OR other nonspouse
(2) female gender
(3) caring for a patient who has just been diagnosed AND who is end-stage
(4) caring for a patient with multiple symptoms (especially those associated with apparent suffering)
(5) needing to perform tasks which bother the caregiver
A caregiver who is a spouse and who is employed may feel less distress.
Manifestations of the distress:
(1) depression and/or anxiety
(2) feelings of abandonment
(3) difficulty in handling schedule (balancing multiple competing tasks, especially work)
(4) feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or helpless
