Do Younger Caregivers Experience Higher Distress? A Study of Age Differences in Psychological Burden among Cancer Caregivers

Background: Psychological distress is a widespread concern among informal caregivers of cancer patients, often exceeding the emotional toll experienced by patients themselves. Although several studies have highlighted general caregiver burden, limited research has investigated how caregiver age influences psychological outcomes, especially in low-resource settings such as Nigeria. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether younger caregivers of cancer patients experience higher psychological distress compared to their older counterparts in Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 informal caregivers of cancer patients in three major hospitals in Ibadan. Participants were categorized into two age groups: younger caregivers (18–39 years) and older caregivers (40 years and above). Data were collected using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics, while an independent samples t-test compared distress levels between the two age groups. Findings: Results showed that younger caregivers reported significantly higher distress scores (M = 29.85, SD = 6.11) than older caregivers (M = 23.76, SD = 5.87), with the difference being statistically significant [t(148) = 5.55, p < .001]. The findings suggest that younger caregivers may experience greater psychological burden due to developmental life-stage conflicts, reduced financial security, and limited caregiving experience. Conclusion: The study concludes that younger informal caregivers of cancer patients in Ibadan are at greater risk of psychological distress. These findings highlight the importance of implementing age-specific mental health screening and psychosocial support interventions, particularly brief and accessible tools suited for community and clinical settings in low-resource environments.