Abstract
this study assessed burden, coping, physical symptoms and psychological morbidity in caregivers of functionally dependent family members. fifty family caregivers completed self-reported measures of burden, physical symptoms, psychological morbidity and coping strategies. 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. these results emphasize the need for interventions to include coping strategies, since they are important in reducing caregivers' burden, psychological morbidity and physical symptoms.
Highlights
The resulting burden of care is positively correlated with the severity of the dependency(4), the amount of time spent in care(4), the appearance of physical symptoms(5), the deterioration of caregivers’ psychological well-being(6), the caregiver gender(4), and the old age of the caregiver(7)
The present study focused on the relationships among burden, physical symptoms, coping and psychological morbidity in caregivers and on the differences in these psychological variables, taking in consideration the type of caregiver, the presence /absence of the family member’s cognitive impairment and the caregiver’s gender
Results showed that longer duration of care was associated with lower levels of burden and psychological morbidity, and the use of coping strategies; higher levels of anxiety and burden were associated with less use of effective coping strategies; spouse/offspring caregivers showed less use of effective coping strategies; caregivers of cognitive impaired family members reported less use of coping strategies and higher deterioration in their relationship with the family member and female caregivers reported higher levels of anxiety
Summary
This study assessed burden, coping, physical symptoms and psychological morbidity in caregivers of functionally dependent family members
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