Table 1 Sample characteristics (N = 290)

Age (year)

M ± SD

44.6 ± 13.5

55.4 ± 15.3

 < 45

151

52.1

64

22.1

45 ~ 59

99

34.1

102

35.2

 ≥ 60

40

13.8

124

42.7

Sex

Male

139

47.9

159

54.8

Female

151

52.1

131

45.2

Primary cancer (patient)

Solid tumor

221

76.2

Hematologic tumor

69

23.8

Time since advanced cancer diagnosis/month (patient)

< 8 months^a

137

47.2

≥ 8 months

153

52.8

Marital status

Married

255

87.9

Unmarried/divorced/widowed

35

12.1

Education Level

≤ Middle school

128

44.1

> Middle school

162

55.9

Working status

Employed

127

43.8

Unemployed/retired

163

56.2

Place of residence

Rural

147

50.7

Urban

143

49.3

The presence of chronic diseases

Yes

52

17.9

No

238

82.1

Monthly household income per capita (RMB)

 < 3000

146

50.3

 ≥ 3000

144

49.7

Caregiver type

Spouse caregiver

121

41.7

Non-spouse caregiver

169

58.3

Adult children

127

43.8

Others (parents/siblings/ grandchildren)

42

14.5

Whether they had similar caregiving experience

Yes

68

23.4

No

222

76.6

Type of caregiving

Care for patients alone

159

54.8

Care for patients with others

131

45.2

Length of care (month)

< 6

158

54.4

6 ~ 

66

22.8

≥ 12

66

22.8

Caregiving hours per day (hour)

< 6

96

33.1

7 ~ 

79

27.2

12 ~ 

37

12.8

18 ~ 24

78

26.9