Mindfulness e caregiver burden

Abstract

The following work is focused on the theoretical investigation, about the development of opportunities for linking the reality of caregiving, with its emotional and relational consequences, and a way of relating to one's own experience, mindfulness, aimed at eliminating automatic modes of reaction, guided by preconceptions, categorizations and routines, to act responses oriented to the present, aware and non-judgmental. This is an excerpt from the Master's thesis in Science of the Mind of V. De Rosa, developed during the period of internship at the ASO of Alessandria (SSA of Psychology), and advanced in collaboration with the Psychologist Tutor, Dr. P. Valorio, and the supervisor, Prof. G.C. Geminiani, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the Department of Psychology, University of Turin. In particular, in the first chapter there will be a review of the literature on caregivers, relational modes and responses, often stress, that are established during a period of life which is often accompanied by a sense of overwhelm and uncertainty for the future. In the second chapter, however, we will delve into the studies on mindfulness, its history, its developments and the constant progress of research; we will see how more and more branches of psychology, social sciences and neuroscience are approaching the study of its effectiveness with curiosity. Finally, in the third chapter, we will discuss the proposal of the inclusion of mindfulness elements in the path of psychological support to caregivers. This experiential approach has numerous potentials and applications, and more and more are being proposed. The area of interest in this work is the mindful approach to the reality of life of family caregivers for people with physical, motor or mental deficits that require daily assistance. We will therefore explore various aspects related to both caregiver engagement and the applicability of mindfulness in this area.