CHRONIC STRESS, PERCEIVED BURDEN, AND IMMUNITY IN FAMILY CAREGIVERS.
Contributors: University of Arkansas (Fayetteville campus)
Published: 1994
Number of pages: 159
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Education, Health.
Description: The purpose of this research was to assess the relationship of caregiving stress to psychological and physical health in caregivers of the frail elderly. The process of caregiving has been conceptualized as a chronic stressor. Immunosuppression has been associated with acute stress; however little is known about the effects of longterm stress on the immunologic system. This study was designed to measure caregiver stress and perceived burden as well as to investigate the relationship of this type of chronic stress on immune function. Lazarus and Folkman's theoretical model of stress and illness was utilized in classifying of the variables included in this study into four major categories. These categories include: stress, cognitive appraisal, coping, and stress-related adaptational outcomes.

The study was conducted to also compare the findings to noncaregivers matched by age and sex. The sample included 40 caregivers and 38 noncaregivers from a rural community in southeast Kansas. Inclusion criteria were utilized to screen subjects that may have been affected with immune related conditions.

Using a MANOVA to analyze the sample data, a significant difference was found between the caregiver group and the noncaregiver control group in psychological health. Psychological health was measured using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Using a t-test for dependent measures as a post-hoc test, caregivers demonstrated higher mean psychological symptomatic distress scores on 2 of the 9 subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory.

A MANOVA was calculated and no significant difference was found in serum immunoglobulin assay levels between the two groups. However, perceived stress was positively correlated at a significant level with the serum immunoglobulin IgM.

The research found no significant difference in reported levels of perceived stress between a group of caregivers and a control group of noncaregivers. The research did reveal that perceived stress was positively correlated at a significant level with the BSI subscales of anxiety and hostility and the global indices of GSI and PST A significant relationship did exist between perceived stress and lower use of "positive" coping resources in all subjects. A significant correlation was found between social support and the Coping Resource Inventory.

Within the framework of holistic care, health professionals must remember to care for the entire family. Caring for the caregiver is not a new concept and this study reinforces the need to include the caregiver in the plan of care.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-08, Section: B, page: 3237.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS, 1994.

School code: 0011.