Influence of social support, depression, and self-esteem on burden of care among caregivers of oncology patients.

: This study investigated the influence of social support, depression and self esteem on the burden of care among informal caregivers of oncology patients. The cross-sectional correlational study included 278 informal oncology caregivers. Results showed a significant main effect of self-esteem (F(1277) = 5.35, p < .05), and interaction effect of social support and depression (F(1277) = 4.86; p < 05) on caregivers' burden. Caregivers with high levels of depression (t = 4.06, df = 282, p < .001), and others with high levels of social support (t = 4.06, df = 282, p < .001) recorded significantly higher levels of caregivers' burden. This suggests the need for improving the psychological well-being of informal caregivers of oncology patients in the expanding role of family and community members in caring for cancer patients.