“Queer people are excellent caregivers, but we’re stretched so very thin”: Psychosocial wellbeing and impacts of caregiving among LGBTQI cancer carers

BACKGROUND: LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or intersex) communities are increasingly recognized as a vulnerable and high-risk population in oncology.

LGBTQI cancer carers, including carers who are LGBTQI and other carers of LGBTQI people, experience many of the same stressors as LGBTQI patients but their support needs are often overlooked in the cancer literature.

METHOD: This mixed-methods study examined distress and quality of life in LGBTQI cancer carers.

Online surveys were completed by 129 carers and 31 carers took part in a one-to-one semi-structured interview.

Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) tested for differences in psychosocial outcomes and carer experiences by gender, sexuality, age, carer relationship and carer/patient LGBTQI status.

Reflexive thematic analysis of interviews and open-ended survey responses facilitated in-depth examination of subjective experiences.

RESULTS: 42.6% of participants reported high or very high distress.

Distress was significantly positively correlated with discrimination in cancer care, health impact, financial impact and lack of family support; it was negatively correlated with comfort in LGBTQI sexuality and gender identity, social support and quality of life.

Four themes were identified in thematic analysis of qualitative data: (1) Identity on the sidelines: LGBTQI sexuality and gender pushed aside during cancer caregiving; (2) Fear of being shut-out: rejection and exclusion of LGBTQI cancer carers; (3) Lack of support for LGBTQI caregivers; and (4) Closer and stronger relationships due to a culture of mutual caregiving.

CONCLUSIONS: LGBTQI cancer carers must contend with typical caregiving demands whilst also managing additional minority stressors, including discrimination, rejection from family, isolation from LGBTQI communities, and invisibility in healthcare and support services.

Despite this, LGBTQI carers showed resilience in building their own mutually supportive networks to rally around the person with cancer, which were reported to ameliorate psychosocial vulnerabilities.

Service providers need to recognize the needs of LGBTQI cancer carers through inclusive and reflective practices.

This will facilitate trust and patient and carer sexuality and gender identity disclosure, with positive consequences for wellbeing and satisfaction with cancer care.