Characteristics of burden, coping strategies, and quality of life: The effect of age, gender, and social variables in caregivers of renal transplanted patients from Southern Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background: Evaluation of burden, coping strategies, and quality of life (QOL) in caregivers may lead to specific interventions to reduce the burden among caregivers. Methods: In this prospective study, characteristics of burden, coping strategies, and QOL in caregivers was investigated and also studied the effect of age, gender, and social variables on these concepts. Results: Mean burden score of the caregivers was 28.66 ± 2.02. Thirty percent of caregivers had mild-to-moderate burden followed by moderate-to-severe burden (20%). Seeking social support was the dominant coping strategy used by the caregivers. Role limitations due to the physical health (RLDPH) and role limitations due to emotional problem (RLDEP) were compromised subscales of QOL. The mean score of RLDPH ( P = 0.007) and RLDEP ( P = 0.014) were found to be significantly higher in males than that of females. Marital status, education, type of relationship with the patient, religion, occupation, and duration of care giving showed significant effect on burden, coping strategies, and QOL. Lower emotional well-being ( P = 0.003) and escape avoidance ( P = 0.000) in males and lower physical component (PC) ( P = 0.002) in females and lower PC ( P = 0.000) and escape avoidance ( P = 0.001) were found to be the significant predictors of burden in caregivers of renal transplanted patients. Conclusion: Predictors of burden and QOL subscales varies by gender. Social and clinical variables influence the QOL subscales. Gender- and social group-specific interventions rather than global interventions may reduce the burden of caregivers.

Factors influencing scales of burden, coping mechanisms, and quality of life in caregivers of hemodialysis patients in Andhra Pradesh, India

“…Significantly higher mean RLDPH, RLDEP, pain, EF, EMW, PCS, and MCS in female than male caregivers were observed in contrast to other studies done on general populations[ 20 21 22 27 28 ] and caregivers of renal transplanted patients[ 25 ] which showed lower mean in QOL subscales in female against male caregivers. Higher mean in subscales of QOL in female than male caregivers when compared to other studies[ 20 21 22 25 27 28 ] may be due to the lower burden score, cultural factors, and sample size differences and suggest better QOL than male caregivers. Higher mean RLDPH, RLDEP, pain, EF, EMW, PCS, and MCS in female than male caregivers suggest that they have no limitations in daily activities and have full of energy and calm.…”

“…Distancing is used to detach from situation or to develop positive attitude on the situation,[ 26 ] whereas SSS coping mechanism is employed when responsibility is accepted and attempts were made to manage the situation more of often by the spouse. [ 11 25 ] In our study, higher mean SSS among males than females may be due to the higher percentage of them happens to be spouses. Most of the females are children (40%).…”

“…Spouses were reported to be more motivated, attached, and stay long hours in providing the care than children. [ 25 ] This may also be responsible for higher mean burden in male than female caregivers.…”

Effect of variables on quality of life among caregivers of patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis

“…In univariate regression analyses, gender significantly associated with PF (SB = 0.261, P = 0.009), EF (SB = 0.267, P = 0.007), and EMW (SB = 0.217, P = 0.030) contributing 5.9%, 6.2%, and 3.8% variation in these variables. Significantly higher mean PF ( P = 0.009), EF ( P = 0.030), and EMW ( P = 0.007) was observed in female than male caregivers which in contrast with the observations in general population[ 15 16 17 18 19 ] and caregivers of renal transplanted patients[ 20 ] of earlier studies. Lower mean PF, EF, and EMW in males against females which is in contrast to the findings of caregivers of renal transplanted patients[ 20 ] suggest that with change in treatment modality, trend in QOL subscales in genders is altered which needs to be explored.…”

“…Further, male than female caregivers of renal transplanted patients showed a higher mean RLDPH and RLDEP. [ 20 ] In caregivers of PD patients in the present study, effect of age on PF, GH, and PCS; gender effect on PF, EF, and EMW; duration of caregiving on PF, presence of chronic disease on EF, pain, SF and GH and duration of the presence of chronic disease on GH was observed. Female showed higher mean PF, EF and EMW against male care givers.…”