OBJECTIVES: this study assessed burden, coping, physical symptoms and psychological morbidity in caregivers of functionally dependent family members. METHODS: fifty family caregivers completed self-reported measures of burden, physical symptoms, psychological morbidity and coping strategies. RESULTS: there was a significant negative correlation between coping strategies and the different clinical variables, as well as a significant positive correlation between coping strategies and duration of care. It appears that the stronger bond between caregiver and family member leads to a poorer use of adaptive coping strategies. It also appears that the deterioration of the relationship between them and the lower perceived self-efficacy are more prominent in caregivers of family members with cognitive impairment, indicating that caregivers with family members without cognitive impairment face fewer difficulties. CONCLUSION: these results emphasize the need for interventions to include coping strategies, since they are important in reducing caregivers' burden, psychological morbidity and physical symptoms.
OBJECTIVES: this study assessed burden, coping, physical symptoms and psychological morbidity in caregivers of functionally dependent family members. METHODS: fifty family caregivers completed self-reported measures of burden, physical symptoms, psychological morbidity and coping strategies. RESULTS: there was a significant negative correlation between coping strategies and the different clinical variables, as well as a significant positive correlation between coping strategies and duration of care. It appears that the stronger bond between caregiver and family member leads to a poorer use of adaptive coping strategies. It also appears that the deterioration of the relationship between them and the lower perceived self-efficacy are more prominent in caregivers of family members with cognitive impairment, indicating that caregivers with family members without cognitive impairment face fewer difficulties. CONCLUSION: these results emphasize the need for interventions to include coping strategies, since they are important in reducing caregivers' burden, psychological morbidity and physical symptoms.
Authors: Luís González-de Paz; Jordi Real; Alicia Borrás-Santos; José M Martínez-Sánchez; Virginia Rodrigo-Baños; María Dolores Navarro-Rubio Journal: J Public Health Policy Date: 2016-02-11 Impact factor: 2.222