Influence of Caregiver Stressors on the Mental and Social Health of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) in Nairobi, Kenya

Caring for individuals with chronic illnesses such as cancer places significant mental, emotional, and physical demands on family members, particularly in resource-constrained settings. In Kenya, the rising burden of cancer highlights the importance of prioritising caregiver well-being as part of broader community health. This paper examined the influence of caregiver stressors on the mental and social health of family caregivers of cancer patients at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) in Nairobi, Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional correlational design was adopted, guided by the Stress Process Model, Lazarus’s Cognitive Appraisal Theory of Stress, and the caregiver Burden Model. Data were collected from 378 caregivers using self-administered questionnaires, the caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) and the WHOQOL-BREF. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses, including correlation and multiple regression, were used to examine associations between caregiving stressors and quality of life outcomes. The findings from descriptive analysis revealed high levels of time burden, emotional demands, financial strain, and social disruption among caregivers. Psychological distress indicators such as anxiety, overwhelm, and exhaustion were prevalent, while social outcomes showed marked isolation and weakened relationships.Correlation analysis showed that caregiving stressors exhibited a strong correlation with social isolation (r =0.664), restricted friendships (r = 0.452**), and diminished partnerships (r = 0.598**). Regression analysis confirmed a statistically significant relationship with caregiver stressors explaining 51.8% of variance in outcomes in ANOVA analysis ((R²=0.518). Exceeding 12 hours of caring daily was identified as the most significant predictor (B = 0.628, p