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

Main Article Content

Blanca Elizabeth Iniesta Barrón
María del Rosario Martínez Estévez
Ana Leticia Becerra Gálvez
Alberto Gómez Zarco

Abstract

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.

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How to Cite
Iniesta Barrón, B. E., Martínez Estévez, M. del R., Becerra Gálvez, A. L., & Gómez Zarco, A. (2018). Stress in informal primary caregivers of elderly patients: A descriptive study. Revista Latinoamericana De Medicina Conductual / Latin American Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 8(2), 69–76. Retrieved from https://revistas.unam.mx/index.php/rlmc/article/view/67379

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