Aspectos psicológicos en cuidadores informales de personas dependientescarga y afrontamiento del estrés

Abstract

Over the last few years our country has witnessed an increasedawareness of the need for care for dependents and their families. In this empirical study a total of 217 non-professional caregivers, from the Adoratrices Health Centre (Huelva) register of caregivers, have participated. This study carries out an analysis of the socio-demographic characteristics of both the non-professional caregivers and the dependant family members. The seven analytical tools applied in this study are briefly outlined below. As a measure of the degree of dependence, the Index of Basic Daily Activities (Bai1hel& Mahoney, 1965) was used. In order to measure the burden variable we have used the Caregiver Burden Interview. (Zarit, On' &Zarit, 1985; Spanish translation by Revuelta, 2005). In order to measure general health, we chose the General Health Scale designed by Goldberg (1978). The one used here is the Spanish version by Lobo & Muñoz (1996). The social support variable was evaluated using the Perceived Social Support AssessmentSSA) by Vaux, Philips, Holly, Thompson, Williams & Stewart (l986). Spanish translation by Andújar and Revuelta, 2001. For the responding to stress variable, the COPE Questionnaire by Carver et al. (1988) was used. The life satisfaction variable was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale by Diener et al. (1985). The Spanish version applied is by Revuelta (2005). To conclude, the Life Orientation Test by Scheier et al. (1994) was used Spanish translation by Revuelta and Andújar (2005). Following the data analysis, it seems relevant to reduce caregivers� anxiety levels and sleep alterations which may occur. In order to do this, we recommend being able to apply relaxation techniques and doing physical exercise. This suggests carrying out health and fitness activities for caregivers. In addition to this, it is of particular interest to become aware of the caregivers� self¬perceived health, given the importance this factor acquires when it comes to both the presence of illness and coping with it. It would also be necessary to analyse the present moment in the caregivers� life cycle and take stock realistically, including improved future perspectives and self-care, taking into account that life satisfaction is one of the variables in this study which has determined the inclusion of caregivers in severe burden groups. To carry this out, public institutions must care for the caregiver. In the present investigation, respite support is understood as that which offers the caregiver �free� days because the dependent is at an occupational therapy/care centre, or in the care of a family member. This type of support has been associated with improved scores on all the desired scales applied to the caregiver. If these results are reproduced successfully, a large portion of the resources of the �dependence law� should be destined to this type of support, instead of to others, which at first sight are less effective, such as, for example economic support. Definitively, in terms of burden, higher levels are present in carers in a worse state of general health, in those who have emotional problems, and in those that use a passive and emotionally centred approach to responding to stress (focus-on and venting of emotions scale from the COPE inventory). In addition, we can consider some of the caregivers� positive resource, such as satisfaction with life and social support, both which help counter-balance burden. We can conclude that in the present study, non-professional caregiversthat show lower burden levels present the following profile: a) they are married or live with their partner; b) they are over 55 years of age; c) they live in the same place as the dependent; d) they dispose of some free time to themselves.