Stress in informal primary caregivers of elderly patients: A descriptive study

Stress is one of the main problems faced by caregivers of chronical disease patients, which if unchecked on the long term, develops into burden and quality of life issues. The aim of this investigation was to identify the psychosocial features related to stress in primary caregivers of elderly patie...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Iniesta Barrón, Blanca Elizabeth, Martínez Estévez, María del Rosario, Becerra Gálvez, Ana Leticia, Gómez Zarco, Alberto
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2018
País:México
Institución:UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTÓNOMA DE MÉXICO
Repositorio:Revista Latinoamericana de Medicina Conductual
Idioma:español
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs.pkp.sfu.ca:article/67379
Acceso en línea:https://revistas.unam.mx/index.php/rlmc/article/view/67379
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:estrés
cuidador
pacientes geriátricos
variables sociodemográficas
stress
caregiver
elderly patients
sociodemographic variables
Descripción
Sumario:Stress is one of the main problems faced by caregivers of chronical disease patients, which if unchecked on the long term, develops into burden and quality of life issues. The aim of this investigation was to identify the psychosocial features related to stress in primary caregivers of elderly patients. The sample was formed by 100 caregivers of patients attended in the Geriatrics Service of the Hospital Juárez de México. A descriptive study was carried out in which a questionnaire of 30 questions was applied, prepared ex profeso to identify situations that generate stress in this population. The results reveal that 82% of the sample are women with an age range of 20 to 80 years, married and dedicated to the home. In relation to the hours invested in the care of the patient it was found that 69% dedicate more than eleven hours a day. The most stress inducing situations are: the patient's medical complications, economic problems, job issues and the abandonment of the caregiver'spersonal activities. The main strategies used to face stress were: distraction activities, avoidance or the remission of the stress by itself or just try to relax. In conclusion: It's necessary to implement brief and interdisciplinary interventions to promote the psychological well-being in caregivers.