Attachment style, social support and finding meaning among spouses of colorectal cancer patients: gender differences.

OBJECTIVES: The current study explores the relationship between attachment styles, social support, gender and finding meaning in caregiving among spousal caregivers of colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS: Sixty caregivers (30 men and 30 women) were administered questionnaires assessing attachment styles, social support and finding meaning in caregiving, using a cross-sectional design.

RESULTS: For male caregivers avoidance attachment is associated with their finding meaning, whereas for female caregivers social support is associated with their finding meaning.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Psychological interventions for caregivers should take into consideration gender differences and might benefit from addressing the process of finding meaning in caregiving.