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A newly published study in the European Journal of Oncology Nursing, led by Dr. Thinh Toan Vu at the Center for Innovation in Mental Health with Associate Professors Sasha Fleary, Glen Johnson, and Victoria Ngo, reveals that over half of family caregivers for lung cancer patients in Vietnam report low resilience. This raises urgent concerns about caregiver mental health and the sustainability of informal care within an already overstretched health system.
The study surveyed 213 adult family caregivers between June 2023 and August 2024, providing valuable insight into the emotional strain faced by long-term caregivers in a country where formal support services are limited. Family caregivers remain the backbone of cancer care in Vietnam, often without adequate training or resources.
“This isn’t just about helping caregivers cope emotionally,” says Dr. Vu. “Building their resilience also improves patient care, strengthens family support, and enhances the entire healthcare system.”
On average, caregivers scored 25.1 out of 40 on a resilience scale, with more than half falling below the threshold for low resilience. Higher resilience was linked to better caregiving preparation, stronger family support, and higher quality of life. In contrast, those experiencing more severe depression or caring for patients during longer hospital stays reported significantly lower resilience. Unexpectedly, caregiving burden showed a positive association with resilience, likely reflecting Vietnam’s cultural emphasis on familial duty and emotional obligation.
“To support family caregivers, we must implement routine mental health screenings and provide tailored counseling and hands-on training programs,” says Dr. Vu. “Healthcare facilities should also create caregiver-friendly environments—such as designated rest zones and flexible visiting hours—to reduce burnout and strengthen resilience.”
This study is among the first in Vietnam to explore how caregiving, psychological stress, and cultural expectations intersect in cancer care. The authors call for broader, multi-center research to deepen understanding and develop culturally relevant tools for assessing caregiving burden and resilience. Their findings also offer important insights for other low- and middle-income countries facing similar caregiving challenges.
This study is supported by the Cancer Epidemiology Education in Special Populations (R25CA112383), Weill Cornell Medicine Career Advancement for Research in Health Equity (CARE T37) program (1T37MD014220), Point Foundation’s BIPOC Scholar Awards, Center for Innovation in Mental Health, Professional Growth Award 2023 from Graduate Student Government Association and Dean’s Dissertation Award 2024 at CUNY School of Public Health and Health Policy.
