Overview Of Psychosocial Factors Contributing To Stress Of Family Caregivers
Zaven S. Khachaturian, Teresa S. Radebaugh in Alzheimer’s Disease, 2019
Burden, stress, and strain have emerged as important concepts in caregiver research. Caregiver stress has been defined by George and Gwyther15 as “the physical, psychological or emotional, social and financial problems that can be experienced by family members caring for impaired older adults” (p. 243). Spouses of persons with dementia may be at greatest risk for caregiver stress as they are often themselves elderly and are likely to have physical problems that limit their ability to respond to caregiving demands.21,27 Major findings from the literature on caregiver stress suggest that psychological morbidity (especially depression) is a frequent negative outcome associated with the caregiving experience. Decline in health status as a result of caregiving is also frequently reported by caregivers, but data on the physical health consequences of caregiving are equivocal and inconclusive.23
Impact of Caring on Families and Carers
Mary E. Braine, Julie Wray in Supporting Families & Carers, 2018
Several reviews and two meta-analyses have found that informal caregivers have poorer physical health than non-caregivers (Pinquart and Sörensen 2003, 2006, 2007; Vitaliano et al. 2003). On the whole, these studies suggest that caregiving is associated with negative physical health consequences such as sleep disruption, fatigue, muscular injuries and aggravation of chronic diseases such as arthritis. In addition, these increased caregiver demands were associated with higher physical effect when caring for male and older caregivers and caregivers of people with dementia. Compared to non-caregivers, caregivers often experience psychological, behavioural and physiological effects that can contribute to impaired immune system function and coronary heart disease, and even early death. In a landmark prospective population-based cohort study, Schulz and Beach (1999) reported that stressed caregivers experienced 63% greater risk for mortality within 5 years when compared with to non-caregivers. The study concluded that caregiver stress was an independent risk factor for caregiver mortality. Other studies suggest that caregiving for a disabled or ill spouse was associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (Lee et al. 2003).
Caring for the Caregiver
Marc E. Agronin in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, 2014
Every clinical visit with an individual with dementia should include attention to the caregiver, with questions about how he or she is coping with his or her loved one's illness and whether he or she has sufficient help. It is wise to interview the caregiver alone to allow him or her to be more open without worrying about upsetting the patient. Signs of caregiver stress include feelings of exhaustion, guilt, anger, and anxiety; social withdrawal and isolation; impaired sleep and concentration; increased health problems; and a decline in caregiving, which sometimes is reflected in the condition of the individual with dementia. Two brief measures for caregiver burden are the Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire, which was developed by the American Medical Association and available for free on the Internet in both English and Spanish (American Medical Association, 2013), and the Zarit Burden Interview, which comes in 4- and 12-item self-report versions (Zarit, Reever, & Bach-Peterson, 1980; Bédard, Molloy, & Squire, 2001). A brief, practical burden interview that can be used in clinical practice can be found in Table 12.1. Regardless of the outward signs, the caregiver's perceived burden is ultimately the most important factor (Zarit, Todd, & Zarit, 1986). Caregivers who perceive themselves as being under more stress tend to fare worse; caregivers with positive perceptions who are bolstered by active coping styles, family support, and spirituality do better.
Trajectories and predictors of stress and depressive symptoms in spousal and intimate partner cancer caregivers
Published in Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 2020
Qi Chen, Lauren Terhorst, David A. Geller, Wallis Marsh, Michael Antoni, Mary Amanda Dew, Michelle Biala, Josh Weinstein, Allan Tsung, Jennifer Steel
The present study is one of the first to prospectively examine the courses and predictors of stress and depressive symptoms in intimate partner caregivers of advanced cancer patients. Moderate to high levels of chronic stress were observed in over half of the caregivers. The trajectory of stress showed that there was a reduction in stress among caregivers who reported a low and moderate level of stress, but this trend was not seen among high-stress caregivers. The group of caregivers who reported high levels of stress, that remained stable over time, may be particularly vulnerable to cardiovascular disease.6–8 An emergent research literature on caregiver stress has begun to develop interventions to manage caregiver’s stress. However, most interventions to date have focused on dementia caregivers; there remains a major need for cancer caregiver interventions.38
The experiences of well-being of family caregivers in palliative care: A qualitative study using thematic analysis
Published in Progress in Palliative Care, 2021
Tan Seng Beng, Yeoh Kee Ying, Cheah Ai Xin, Lim Ee Jane, Dong Chooi Lin, Lim Poh Khuen, David Paul Capelle, Sheriza Izwa Zainuddin, Loh Ee Chin, Lam Chee Loong
According to the Pearlin’s Stress Process Model, caregiver stress is a complex process involving the interaction of four constructs: the social context of stress, the stressors such as caregiving burden, role strains and intrapsychic strains, the coping resources and social support, and the outcome of stress.6 When the stressors of caregiving are not balanced with adequate coping resources and social support in the broader social context of the stress process, caregivers risk being overwhelmed by various outcomes of stress. Many caregivers have to endure the outcomes of caregiver stress such as depression, anxiety, irascibility, cognitive disturbances, physical health decline and yielding of role. They are preoccupied with providing the best care for the patients, feeling helpless when patients suffer, and experiencing significant disruption of their own personal and social life.7
Resilience in Caregivers of Partners With Young Onset Dementia: A Concept Analysis
Published in Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2018
Karie R. Kobiske, Abir K. Bekhet
The diagnosis of YOD occursTable 1 prior to the age of 65, which is often before retirement. Family commonly assumes the role of informal caregiver with the partner most frequently becoming the primary caregiver (Aria, Matsumoto, Ikeda, & Aria, 2007). As a partner of the individual diagnosed with YOD undertakes the caregiver role, changes occur in family and household dynamics (Ducharme, Kergoat, Antoine, Pasquier, & Coulombe, 2014; Gibson, Andersen, & Acocks, 2014). The effects of these changes are described as caregiver stress. The negative effects of caregiver stress on the physical and emotional health of YOD caregivers has been well documented (Ducharme, Kergoat, Antoine, Pasquier, & Coulombe, 2013; Kaiser & Panegyress, 2007). The University of Michigan Institute of Research found that in the United States, an estimated 59% caregivers of family members with dementia rate their stress as high or very high, 56% report high financial strain, and 40% of caregivers suffer from depression (Alzheimer's Association, 2006; Mausbach, Chattillion, Roepke, Patterson, & Grant, 2013; Plassman et al., 2007). The chronic stress of caregiving for a family member with dementia can result in depression, cardiovascular disease, and exacerbations of existing chronic inflammatory conditions, all of which increase morbidity and mortality (Mausbach et al., 2013; MetLife Mature Market Institute, 2006; National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, 2009; von Kanel et al., 2006).
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