Afrontamiento y carga subjetiva en cuidadores primarios de adultos mayores dependientes de Andalucía, España

Abstract

PurposeTo analyse the relationship between the type of coping and subjective burden in caregivers of dependent elderly relatives in Andalusia (Spain). DesignCross-sectional study. LocationPrimary Health Care (autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain). ParticipantsA convenience sample of 198 primary caregivers of dependent elderly relatives. Key measurementsCoping (Brief COPE), subjective burden (caregiver stress index), objective burden (functional capacity [Barthel Index], cognitive impairment [Pfeiffer Test], behavioural problems of the care recipient [Neuropsychiatric Inventory], and caregivers’ dedication to caring), gender and kinship. ResultsMost caregivers were women (89.4%), daughters of the care recipient (57.1%), and shared home with him/her (69.7%). On controlling for objective burden, gender and kinship, it was found that subjective burden was positively associated with dysfunctional coping (β=0.28; P<.001) and negatively with emotion-focused coping (β=−0.25; P=.001), while no association was found with problem-focused coping. ConclusionsDysfunctional coping may be a risk factor for subjective burden, and emotion-focused coping may be a protective factor for that subjective burden regardless of the objective burden, and gender and kinship of the caregivers.