Abstract

Research conducted overtime globally indicate that factors resulting to decreased quality of life among caregivers of cancer patients have not been fully explored. This research therefore is focused on spirituality and optimism as correlates of quality of life among caregivers of cancer patients in Nasarawa State. A correlational design was used for the study and the researcher used 297 participants which were drawn from different hospitals in Nasarawa State, 96 (32.3%) were male while 201 (67.7%) were female. The age range of the participants was from 14 - 74 years of age. Spirituality scale developed by Delaney, (2005), optimism sale developed by Scheier, Carver, and Bridges, (1994) and quality of life scale developed by Carol and Kathryn, (2003) were used for the study. Findings from the three stated hypotheses indicated that there was a significant relationship between spirituality [r = .308; p<.001] and optimism [r = .288; p<.001] on quality of life among caregivers of terminally-ill cancer patients in Nasarawa State. Furthermore, the result shows that there was no significant gender difference in the quality of life among caregivers of cancer patients at death end in Nasarawa State [t (295) = -.519; p>.05]. The result shows moreover that there was a significant age difference in the quality of life among caregivers of cancer patients at death end in Nasarawa State [t (295) = -4.737; p<.001]. In conclusion one of the recommendations made was for caregivers of terminally-ill cancer patients to cultivate a strong sense of spirituality. This can lead to a more optimistic outlook on the condition of the patients they are caring for, ultimately improving both the patients' and caregivers' quality of life.