Burden and social support in informal caregivers of people undergoing kidney dialysis: a mixed study

Abstract

Objectives: to analyze the burden and the social support of the informal caregivers of people undergoing kidney dialysis. Methods: mixed study, based on the Theory of Stress and Overload, using instruments of sociodemographic characterization, the Social Support Survey from the Medical Outcomes Study, Zarit’s Burden Scale, and guiding questions. Analysis of data used statistical and thematic inferences. Results: 55 caregivers were evaluated, most were women, from 31 to 50 years old, married, and having worked in care for more than three years. A high level of affective and material support was observed, with a light overload on the caregiver. The central theme of the discourses was: “Experiences of the caregiver: between the burden of responsibility and the search for meaning”. Conclusions: a small overload was found in the participants, with a high median in the dimensions of affective and emotional support, in the relations between positive social interactions and the burden of the caregivers, in addition to the duality or responsibility and the meaning of care.

Burden and social support in caregivers of people with kidney disease: a systematic integrative review

“…Furthermore, the authors explained that despite the results pointing to a high level of social support, in some statements participants reported a lack of support for themselves and to meet their patient's needs (Vieira et al, 2021). It is also worth noting that this was the only study with a mixed methodological approach, which may have contributed to the identification of these positive aspects.…”

“…The study by Vieira et al (2021) demonstrated a high level of affective and material social support among caregivers of people with CKD, furthermore, the analyses indicated a slight level of burden experienced by caregivers. The study authors stated that although the tasks undertaken by the caregivers of people with CKD may alter their lives dramatically, alternatively, the participants reported that performing this task renders their new role noble and attributes meaning to it, permeating their experiences with positive affection (Vieira et al, 2021). This aspect may have contributed to the results indicating a slight level of burden.…”

“…Brazilian Journal of Health Review, Curitiba, v. 6, n. 2, p.5620-5638, mar./apr., 2023 Vieira et al, 2021 To analyze the burden and the social support of the informal caregivers of people undergoing kidney dialysis.…”

“…Caregivers of people with chronic kidney disease used an online forum to be in touch with their colleagues and look for information on the forum community regarding subjects such as patient diet, clinical management, CKD symptoms; and how to help patients with their diets and medications (Tuckey et al, 2022). In the study by Vieira et al (Vieira et al, 2021), which investigated the burden and social support of caregivers of people on kidney dialysis, high levels of affective and material social support and only slight caregiver burden were observed.…”

“…The studies included in this review presented qualitative design (Eslami et al, 2016;Ledesma et al, 2013;Lee et al, 2016), quantitative design (Chhetri et al, 2020;Grapsa et al, 2014;Pereira et al, 2017;Tuckey et al, 2022;Chan et al, 2016), and mixed design (Vieira et al, 2021). Regarding evidence level, 89% of the studies were classified as level III (nonexperimental studies, qualitative studies, or meta-synthesis studies) (Chhetri et al, 2020; Brazilian Journal of Health Review, Curitiba, v. 6, n. 2, p.5620-5638, mar./apr., 2023 Grapsa et al, 2014;Pereira et al, 2017;Tuckey et al, 2022;Eslami et al, 2016;Ledesma et al, 2013;Lee et al, 2016;Vieira et al, 2021), and 11% were classified as level I -the highest evidence level (randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses) (Chan et al, 2016). Regarding the evidence quality evaluation, all articles were classified as B (good quality) (Table 2).…”