Vietnamese Lung Cancer Caregivers Suffer from Low Resilience and Mental Health Struggles

A recent study published in the European Journal of Oncology Nursing highlights a critical yet often overlooked issue in Vietnam's healthcare system—the mental health and resilience of family caregivers for lung cancer patients. Led by Dr. Thinh Toan Vu from the Center for Innovation in Mental Health, the research surveyed 213 adult family caregivers between June 2023 and August 2024 to assess their psychological well-being and capacity to cope with caregiving demands.

The findings reveal that more than half of these caregivers experience low resilience, which has significant implications for both their mental health and the quality of care they provide. On average, caregivers scored 25.1 out of 40 on the resilience scale, with scores below this indicating a vulnerability to stress, burnout, and depression. The study emphasizes that in Vietnam, where formal support systems for caregivers are limited, family members shoulder a substantial emotional burden with minimal assistance.

Caregivers facing severe depression or caring for patients during extended hospital stays tend to exhibit even lower resilience, underscoring the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions. Interestingly, the study also found a positive correlation between caregiving burden and resilience, which may reflect Vietnam’s cultural emphasis on familial duty and emotional obligation, motivating caregivers despite hardships.

The research advocates for routine mental health screenings, personalized counseling, and hands-on training programs to fortify caregiver resilience. Creating caregiver-friendly healthcare environments—such as designated rest areas and flexible visiting hours—is also recommended to reduce burnout and promote mental well-being.

This pioneering study provides vital insights into how cultural values, psychosocial factors, and caregiving demands intersect. It calls for broader, multi-center research to develop culturally tailored tools for assessing caregiver burden and resilience. The findings are relevant not only for Vietnam but also for other middle-income countries facing similar healthcare challenges in supporting informal caregivers.

Building community and healthcare system support for caregivers is essential. Improving their mental resilience can lead to better patient outcomes and a more sustainable healthcare environment, especially as Vietnam faces a rising burden of lung cancer cases.