Caregiver Resilience Research Articles

The relationship between spiritual intelligence and resilience in family caregivers of patients with chronic mental disorders.

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between spiritual intelligence and resilience in family caregivers of patients with chronic mental disorders referred to psychiatric clinics in Isfahan (Iran). This cross-sectional study was conducted on 188 family caregivers. Data were collected using demographic characteristics checklist, spiritual intelligence self-report inventory, and Connor-Davidson resilience scale. There was a significant and positive relationship between resilience and spiritual intelligence, including all its components, among the family caregivers (p < 0.05) PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare managers are recommended to consider the components of spiritual intelligence and resilience in designing preventive, educational, and personal promotion interventions for patients with mental disorders.

Resilience of family caregivers of people with dementia in South Korea: protocol for a scoping review

IntroductionThe prevalence of dementia among the elderly population in South Korea was 9.94% in 2017, and the number of people living with dementia is estimated to increase up to one...

Trait resilience as a moderator between personality dysfunction and caregiving stress in caregivers of children and adults with developmental disabilities

Background Long-term care of a relative with a disability is associated with negative consequences on the caregiver’s mental health. Therefore, investigating how some personality traits, such as resilience, protect caregivers with dysfunctional personality traits from caregiving stress is necessary. This study examines the moderating role of resilience in the relationship between caregiver’s personality dysfunction and care stress. Methods A total of 224 family caregivers of children and adults with developmental disabilities participated in this cross-sectional research. They completed self-report measures of resilience, personality dysfunction, and care stress. Results The results show that medium and high levels of resilience protect familial caregivers from the adverse effects of personality dysfunction on stress. The relationship is maintained for three of the five dysfunctional personality traits (antagonism, disinhibition, and psychoticism). Conclusions From a theoretical point of view, the results show the contribution of the dimensional personality model to the study of caregiving stress. From a practical standpoint, the results can be used to optimise the resilience of familial caregivers, providing them with tools to take better care of their relatives.

Les funérailles à l’épreuve de la pandémie de COVID-19. Regards croisés d’un directeur d’espace de réflexion éthique et d’un guide de funérailles sur le bouleversement des rites funéraires lors de la crise sanitaire

La pandémie a durement éprouvé la cohésion sociale et les repères traditionnels de la vie de nos concitoyens. Outre la souffrance liée à la perte d’un proche, la désorganisation des obsèques et le vécu de confiscation des funérailles ont profondément affecté la vie psychique des endeuillés. Force est de constater que malgré l’adaptation du droit funéraire durant la pandémie, une discontinuité anthropologique s’est imposée, empêchant le processus de deuil et la séparation d’avec les défunts de la COVID-19. Une atteinte de la fonction contenante du cérémonial a aggravé la souffrance de chacun des acteurs, et déstabilisé les familles en attente de consolation, affectant d’autant la mise en ordre des sentiments par la voie des rites funéraires ainsi que la résilience des soignants, des aidants et des familles confrontés à une vague de décès sans précédent. S’est ainsi imposée tant une crise de mortalité et du funéraire liée à la pandémie qu’une crise d’humanité révélée par la tempête virale de COVID-19.

Resilience in Family caregivers of Tunisian patients with psychiatric disorders

IntroductionResilience has been described as an individual’s ability to adjust or adapt to significant adverse or traumatic circumstances.ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to assess the resilience of caregivers of patients with mental disorders and to identify its associated factors.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study among caregivers of patients followed in the outpatient psychiatry department at the university hospital of Sfax(Tunisia), during septembre 2021. Resilience was assessed using Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale(CD‑RISC).The total scores range from zero to 100. The cut-off scores for this questionnaire is 50, with higher score indicating higher resilience.ResultsOur sample included 34 family caregivers. The mean age was 47.47 years (SD=12.4 years)and the sex ratio (M/F) was 1.42. They were the parents of patients in 35.3% of cases. The mean duration of providing care to patients was 8.62 years. The mean resilience score of caregivers was 42.85 and 26.5% of them were resilients. The Caregivers with low socioeconomic level (p=0.004), a history of chronic illness (p=0.0001), a long duration of providing care (p=0.001), a stressful events (0.002) and those victims of agressive behaviors committed by patients (p=0.0001) were more likely to have a low resilience score.ConclusionsOur results stated that three out four cargivers have low level of resilience. Interventions targeting stress related to social events and burden of care, and violence committed by patients in their family environment should be integrated to increase the caregivers’resilience.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Spousal Caregiver Resilience in A Nutshell: A Directed Content Analysis in the Context of Dementia Caregiving in Vietnam

This study aims to define resilience of spousal family caregivers for older adults living with dementia in the Vietnamese context. A directed content analysis was conducted on 22 interview transcripts, including nine follow-up interviews, of a sub-sample of 13 spousal caregivers, drawn from a larger study with family caregivers for relatives with dementia in a hospital in Vietnam. The study started with key categories from the theory of the unifying model of resilience in dementia caregiving to guide the analysis process, while new codes and categories were identified during this process. The study results show a revision and extension of this model by introducing a revised model with newly developed sub-categories under the five revised key categories of adversity, resilience processes, outcomes, internal resources, and external resources. The results provide evidence for the development of resilience-based interventions and services for spousal caregivers in their contexts.

Modulating Elements of Nurse Resilience in Population Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 has significantly affected the work environment of nurses. In the face of the challenges posed by stressors in clinical practice, some nurses adapt and prove to be resilient. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the nature of care itself and the new ways of working are potentially very stressful. We aim to analyze the resilience of care nurses to the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is a systematic review of nurse caregiver resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Our search was conducted in the WOS, Medline/PubMed, Cochrane, BVS/LILACS, and Cuiden databases. The inclusion criteria were: studies published in Spanish or English; carried out from March 2020 to May 2021 on nurses caring for patients with COVID-19; and investigating the factors influencing the psychological impact, resilience, strategies to develop it, and interventions to promote it during this pandemic and others, such as SARS, MERS, or ebola. The quality of the studies and the risk of bias were evaluated following ICROMS, STROBE and AMSTAR-2 criteria. Twenty-two studies were selected. Most of the studies highlighted the presence of stressors in nurses, emphasizing those of the environment, which converged in dysfunctional responses that hurt their resilience. The most persuasive factors were social and organizational support. Coping strategies developed by nurses and especially interventions by organizations were detected as instruments to foster resilience, but have not been well researched. Resilience has a key moderating role in mitigating the psychological impact of nurses in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Personality metatraits predict resilience among family caregivers responsible for a dependent youth\u2019s chronic respiratory management

BackgroundFamily caregivers of children and youth with severe neurodisabilities that require chronic respiratory management often report a compromised quality of life. In this cross-sectional study, we used DeYoung’s (Psychol Inq 21(1): 26–33, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1080/10478401003648674) conceptualization of two personality metatraits, Alpha and Beta, to test their theorized role in facilitating resilience among these family caregivers. We expected higher Alpha and Beta would exhibit direct, beneficial effects on caregiver mental and physical health quality of life (QoL), and they would operate through self-reported resilience and coping to exert positive, indirect effects on caregiver QoL.MethodsFamily caregivers of children and youth at an outpatient chronic respiratory management clinic were informed of the study. Of the 68 who consented, 61 provided complete data on measures of personality traits, coping styles, and physical and mental health-related QoL. Factor analytic techniques verified the two personality metatraits, consistent with the DeYoung model. The metatraits were then used as predictor variables in a path model to predict physical and mental health-related QoL. Self-reported resilience and a coping variable were examined as possible mediators of the personality-QoL relationship.ResultsCorrelational analyses isolated a coping variable that met criteria as a possible mediator. The path model exhibited good fit to the data. The Alpha metatrait—characterized by emotional stability, self-regulation, perseverance, and intrinsic motivation—was directly predictive of caregiver mental health. The Beta metatrait, reflecting a disposition for adaptive flexibility, responsiveness, and interpersonal initiative, demonstrated significant indirect effects to physical and mental health through its positive association with coping efforts to maintain social support and a sense of self.ConclusionsConsistent with DeYoung’s conceptualization, higher Alpha and Beta predicted caregiver resilience, albeit through different pathways. The emotional stability, perseverance and emotional regulation associated with Alpha likely accounted for its positive association with caregiver mental health. Beta, in contrast, may operate through their adaptive flexibility, personal resourcefulness and social engagement to augment coping efforts that involve others and support family activities, which, in turn, promote their own physical and mental health. Limitations of the cross-sectional design, and potential theoretical and clinical implications of the personality metatraits and their relation to resilience are discussed.

Adolescent Mental Health Resilience and Combinations of Caregiver Monitoring and Warmth: A Person-centred Perspective

Caregiver monitoring and warmth have protective mental health effects for adolescents, including vulnerable adolescents. However, combinations of the aforesaid parenting behaviours and their relationship with adolescent mental health are underexplored, especially among younger and older South African (SA) adolescents challenged by structural disadvantage. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate unique profiles of caregiver monitoring and warmth and their associations with depression and conduct problems as reported by younger and older adolescents from disadvantaged SA communities. Latent profile and linear regression analyses were used to examine cross-sectional survey data generated by 891 adolescents from two disadvantaged SA communities (62.2% aged 13–17 [average age: 16.13]; 37.5% aged 18–24 [average age: 20.62]). Two profiles emerged. The first, i.e. substantial caregiver warmth and some monitoring, was associated with younger and older adolescent reports of statistically significantly fewer symptoms of depression and conduct problems. The second, i.e. caregiver monitoring without much warmth, was associated with significantly more symptoms of depression or conduct problems among younger and older adolescents. Traditional gender effects (i.e. higher depression symptoms among girls; higher conduct problem symptoms among boys) were amplified when caregiver monitoring was combined with low warmth. In short, protecting the mental health of younger and older adolescents from disadvantaged communities requires higher levels of caregiver warmth combined with moderate levels of caregiver supervision. Because stressors associated with disadvantaged communities jeopardise warm parenting, supporting caregiver resilience to those stressors is integral to supporting adolescent mental health.

The impact of depressive symptoms and social support on resilience among older adult caregivers

In this study the authors explored how depressive symptoms and social support were related to the resilience of older caregivers (N = 117) caring children affected by HIV/AIDS in rural Northern Namibia, Africa. Our findings showed that lower levels of depressive symptoms and high levels of social support from significant others and family were statistically associated with increased resilience in older caregivers. There is a need for mental health services and social supports to improve the resilience of older caregivers caring for children affected by HIV and AIDS. There is an increasing need for more vigorous and concerted efforts from public and private sector practitioners and policy makers to expand social protection safety nets and develop more targeted economic interventions aimed at enhancing the resilience of older caregivers, especially those residing in rural HIV endemic communities in Namibia.

Determinants of family functioning in caregivers of persons with obsessive-compulsive disorder

BackgroundObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is known to cause significant burden to patients and their caregivers. However, there is limited data on its impact on family functioning, especially from families with an adult member having OCD. MethodsFour hundred subjects, which included treatment-seeking adult OCD patients (n = 200) and their caregivers (n = 200) were recruited. Patients were evaluated using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). Caregivers were evaluated using the MINI, the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the Socio-Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), the Family Accommodation Scale (FAS) and the Connor-David Resilience scale (CD-RISC) in a cross-sectional interview. Family functioning was measured using the OCD Family Functioning (OFF) Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was carried out to evaluate the relationships between the patient and caregiver variables to predict family functioning. ResultsFrom the best-fitting path model, we ascertained that OCD symptoms did not have a direct relationship with family dysfunction. Their effects were in turn was mediated by family accommodation, anxiety, caregiver stress/burden and depression. “Contamination & washing” was the only significant symptom dimension within the model. Caregiver resilience was found to predict only their individual functioning, and not family functioning. LimitationsStudy sample included patients from a tertiary care OCD service, only one caregiver from each patient's family was interviewed. ConclusionsEvaluating family functioning, addressing it as part of interventional modules for patients and caregivers may help improving treatment outcomes.

A Multi-Center Evaluation of Anxiety, Depression, and Resilience in Food Allergic Adolescents and Primary Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Food allergy (FA) has substantial psychosocial impacts that have intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated mental health, COVID-19 impact, and resilience in FA adolescent-caregiver dyads during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysis of Influencing Factors of Family Resilience in Children with Congenital Tibial Pseudoarthrosis.

AimTo investigate the status of the family resilience score of caregivers of children with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) and analyse its influencing factors to provide a reference and basis for clinical formulation of a family resilience intervention programme.MethodsA total of 379 families of children with CPT were included in this study, which used a combination questionnaire to investigate the families of children with CPT. The researchers sent a link to the questionnaire to all eligible subjects to conduct a survey on the characteristics of families of children with CPT. Single factor analysis was used to compare the total scores of family resilience. Multiple linear regression was used to determine meaningful variables for single factor analysis.ResultsThe average family resilience score was 151.79 ± 30.79, the lowest score was 20 and the highest score was 231. The CPT usually occurred in unilateral limbs (37.63%). The payment methods of medical expenses were through a rural cooperative medical system (44.85%). The caregivers were mostly the mothers (62.80%) and caregivers were 31–40 years old (62.27%). Most caregivers were farmers (30.34%). The average monthly income of the families in the past year was 1000–5000 yuan (54.09%). There were significant differences in family resilience scores between caregivers’ working conditions (P = 0.039) and average monthly incomes in the past year (P = 0.008). The working conditions of caregivers and the average monthly income of families in the past year were the main factors affecting the family resilience of caregivers of children with CPT.ConclusionThe caregivers’ working conditions and the average monthly income of families were the influencing factors in the family resilience score.

Experiences and Needs of Caregivers of Adult Patients With Hematologic Malignancies During Treatment: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study.

Family caregivers play a vital role in providing care and support for patients with life-threatening hematologic diseases. Extensive patient care needs and long-term treatment trajectories can negatively affect the health of caregivers. Despite the importance of supporting caregivers, few studies examine family caregivers' experiences and support needs during treatment. To explore the role, experiences, and needs of family caregivers of patients with hematologic malignancies during treatment. An exploratory longitudinal qualitative study using serial semistructured interviews with caregivers of hematologic patients was carried out. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. A sample of 16 caregivers completed 47 interviews. Three themes and 2 subthemes were identified: (1) committing to an unconditional mission while adjusting to a changeable situation: developing resilience over time; (2) being an invisible and inseparable sufferer: cultivating hope one day at a time; and (3) balancing between sacrificing one's own needs and self-care. During treatment, caregivers face long-term psychological and physical distress, social isolation, and loneliness due to the extended life-threatening situation imposing shifting challenges and needs. Future research should explore the concept of social support in caregiver resilience and investigate psychosocial interventions in hematologic caregivers. Healthcare professionals should address caregiver needs throughout the patient's treatment and provide new supportive initiatives to lessen the burden of care in hematologic caregivers. Facilitating peer support and deploying a family-oriented approach considering the patient-caregiver dyad as a subject for care have implications for clinical nursing practice.

Resilience and coping strategies of caregivers for negative emotions associated with aging and death

Resilience and coping strategies of caregivers for negative emotions associated with aging and death

RESILIÊNCIA DE CUIDADORES FAMILIARES DE CRIANÇAS E ADOLESCENTES COM CÂNCER E FATORES ASSOCIADOS: ESTUDO DE MÉTODOS MISTOS

ABSTRACT Objective to analyze the relationship between resilience and associated factors (stress, minor psychiatric disorders and quality of life) of family caregivers with children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment. Method mixed methods research, with sequential explanatory strategy, carried out with family caregivers of children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment in a public hospital in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Data collection took place from February to September 2018. The quantitative study was cross-sectional in nature, and the qualitative research was descriptive-exploratory. Participants included 62 family caregivers in the quantitative stage and 16 responded to semi-structured interviews. An instrument containing sociodemographic, economic, labor, health and resilience scales (CD-RISC-10-Br), minor psychiatric disorders (MPDs) (SRQ-20), quality of life (QOL) (WHOQO-Bref) and stress and semi-structured interview were applied. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data. Results family caregivers had a moderate level of resilience (48.4%); high level of perceived stress (41%); suspicion for MPDs (45%). They presented satisfaction in the physical Qol domains (67.7%); psychological (62.9%); personal relationships (61.3%), and dissatisfaction in the environment domain (75.8%). The interviews reported for health changes that could trigger MPD, stress and changes in quality of life. Conclusion high level of stress; suspicion for MPD and low QoL, with the environment, were evidenced as associated factors for a lower level of resilience of family caregivers. The need to develop actions that strengthen resilience was percieved, as caregivers were essential for the effectiveness of the care plan for children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment.

Psychiatric symptoms in children with COVID-19, mothers` psychological resilience and related factors: pandemic hospital inpatient experiences.

Information on psychological problems and affecting factors in children hospitalized with the suspicion or diagnosis of COVID-19 is limited. We aimed to screen the psychiatric symptoms of children hospitalized with COVID-19 in Ankara City Children`s Hospital and evaluate the caregivers` depression, anxiety, stress, and resilience levels during hospitalization. Among the children and adolescents hospitalized in Ankara City Children`s Hospital between 1 May 2020 and 31 May 2020 due to the diagnosis of COVID-19, those who agreed to participate in the study were included. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS- 21) scale, and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) were used to determine the symptoms. The mean age of study group (n = 49) was 8.7 ± 5.0 years, 59.2% (n = 29) were girls. The mean children`s SDQ-externalizing problems scores were higher in the COVID-19 positive mothers group than the COVID-19 negative mothers` group. The SDQ-total score was positively and strongly correlated with the DASS total score, DASS-depression score, and DASS-anxiety score. BRS scale scores were negatively correlated with the SDQtotal, externalizing, and DASS-21scale scores. COVID-19 positivity in mothers could be associated with externalizing problems in children. The high resilience of caregivers of inpatients seems to be related to less psychopathology in children. During hospitalization, caregivers` psychological evaluation and psychosocial support may be important for preventive child mental health.

Building Caregiver Resilience: Pitfalls and Potential for Interventions

Informal caregivers provide substantial practical and emotional support for individuals with chronic and acute conditions. Consequently, many experience caregiver burden and are at high-risk for psychological morbidity and associated breakdown in the provision of care for care recipients. Many psychosocial interventions have been designed to help caregivers. However, more work is needed to identify which, or what kind of, interventions are optimal for identifying suitable strategies and care management. The main objectives of this symposium are to (1) address psychosocial and demographic factors contributing to caregiver resilience, (2) understand the role of cognitive and behavioral factors that have implications for caregivers’ psychological well-being, and (3) specify different caregiving styles and adaptive outcomes. This symposium assembles a panel of experts and brings together empirical research on various challenges that need to be addressed and potential opportunities for creating effective psychosocial intervention targets for caregivers. The first session will discuss several psychosocial and demographic factors associated with resilience among caregivers. The second session will share how caregiving appraisals are closely related to positive and negative affect and whether the level and changes in caregivers’ activity participation moderate this linkage. The third session will identify caregiving styles and strategies utilizing k-modes machine learning analysis and share how caregivers adapt to care situations. The final session will present caregivers’ stress experiences related to dementia patients’ behavior and psychosocial symptoms in dementia during the day. The session will conclude with Dr. Zarit, who will integrate the four papers and offer insight on implications across studies.

Resilience in Family Caregivers of Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Care of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a public health priority and costs are projected to be 549 billion US dollars by 2025. Middle and older adult FCGs of adults with ASD often provide lifelong care, experience chronic stress, consequently, are at risk of poor mental health and QOL. An integrative review examined factors associated with resilience in studies of middle and older adult FCGs of adults with ASD. A comprehensive literature search found 10 reports of 8 studies published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals before October 13, 2020. Studies and/or reports of factors associated with resilience in middle and older adult FCGs of adults with ASD were examined using PRISMA, and quality checklists. Some 340 articles met search criteria, 14 were fully reviewed, and 10 were included. Findings suggest FCGs of adults with ASD show capacity for resilience consistent with research on FCGs of children with ASD significant chronic stress. A broad range of resilience factors were studied, and resilience was associated with positive social support, higher QOL, self-efficacy, and problem and meaning-focused coping styles. There is a dearth of research on middle and older adult FCGs of adults with ASD. Increased reporting of social determinants of health and participation of underrepresented groups is needed. Future research must address FGC heterogeneity and specify theoretically grounded conceptual and operational definitions of resilience. Identifying resilience factors is necessary for intervention studies to enhance resilience.

Predictors of Custodial Grandparents’ Perceived Barriers to the Use of Services

Getting timely access to help, information, and a variety of services is paramount among the challenges of raising a grandchild, and grandparents face a variety of internal and external barriers in getting such help. The present pilot exploratory study focused on caregiving-related and personal resource variables best predicting grandparent caregivers’ perceptions of barriers to receiving services. Fifty-two grandparents (M age = 59.1) raising their grandchildren completed measures assessing caregiver strain, social support, resilience, self-care, psychosocial adequacy, health, depression, and grandchild relationship quality. They also completed measures of the extent to which they faced personal and caregiving-related difficulties giving rise to the need for services (e.g. health, grandchild well-being, support from others) as well as the extent to which they had experienced barriers to service (health/financial limitations, isolation, transportation, respite care, lack of knowledge of services) in the past 3 months. Correlations (p < .05) suggested that psychosocial adequacy (r = -.32), depression (r = .27), caregiver strain (r = .42) and difficulties (r = .48) were all related to greater perceived barriers. Regression analyses (F7, 40 = 2.81, p < .02) indicated that caregiver strain (Beta = .33, p < .05) and difficulties giving rise to the need for services (Beta = .32, p < .04) emerged as most salient in predicting barriers. These findings underscore the fact that personal, caregiving-related, and interpersonal factors exacerbate the barriers associated with grandparents’ accessing needed services and reinforce such factors’ impact on grandparents as targets for overcoming impediments to accessing services among them.