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Koukouli S, Kalaitzaki AE, Panagiotakis S, Markakis G, Werner P, Tziraki C. Factors associated with the perception of services by dementia informal caregivers in Greece: the role of familism. Aging Ment Health 2022; 26:305-313. [PMID: 33345603 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1857694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate perceptions of informal caregivers of community-dwelling persons with dementia (PwD) regarding health and social care services and their correlates using the Behavioral Model of Healthcare Utilization as the theoretical framework. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study using a purposive sampling technique to identify, through community-based health and social care services, caregivers of PwD. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 118 informal caregivers (78.8% female, mean age = 58.9 years) via a structured questionnaire. RESULTS Three 'Perceptions of Services' subscales were identified: 'Availability and Adequacy of Services' (AAS), 'Physicians' Competence' (COMP), and 'Professionals' Behavior' (PB). Predisposing factors (gender, employment, familism) and enabling/impeding factors (caregiving impedes work, quality of life aspects - environment and social relationships, information about dementia) were significant correlates of the AAS and COMP subscales. Familism was negatively associated with the AAS subscale. PwD's perceived declined physical and behavioral functioning was related to worse perceptions regarding professionals' behavior (PB) toward the PwD. CONCLUSION Understanding the factors associated with caregivers' perceptions of health and social care community services may guide the development of interventions that facilitate the appropriate use of those services, provide increased support to PwD and their caregivers, and delay potential institutionalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Koukouli
- Department of Social Work & Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Enhancement of Quality of Life, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Crete, Greece
| | - Argyroula E Kalaitzaki
- Department of Social Work & Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Enhancement of Quality of Life, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Crete, Greece
| | - Symeon Panagiotakis
- Internal Medicine Department, Geriatric Clinic, Heraklion University Hospital, Crete, Greece
| | - Georgios Markakis
- Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Crete, Greece
| | - Perla Werner
- Department of Community Mental Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Chariklia Tziraki
- Research and Evaluation Department, Community Elders Club Melabev, Jerusalem, Israel
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Fernández-Portero C, Alarcón D, Gallardo-Flores A, Amián JG, Sánchez-Medina JA. Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention Program for Women Family Caregivers of Older Adults. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9091216. [PMID: 34574990 PMCID: PMC8465928 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9091216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention program for the promotion of well-being and health in family caregivers. METHODS The participants were 111 family women caregivers aged between 33 and 75 years old. This was a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. The mindfulness intervention program lasted 12 weeks. The experimental group underwent mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions (MABIs). The control group performed physical activity training. RESULTS A cross-lagged panel analysis was computed with the two waves of health, well-being, burden and resilience and age in years and intervention as predictors. The cross-lagged path model fit well χ2 (8) = 7.179, p = 0.51, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.00, comparative fit index (CFI) = 1.00, standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.05. The mindfulness intervention program was a significant predictor accounting for decreasing health problems (β = -0.292, p < 0.01) and burden (β = -0.190, p < 0.01) and increasing well-being (β = 0.107, p < 0.05) at post-test. CONCLUSIONS Mindfulness-based intervention programs are effective in coping with the burden of family caregivers and, in turn, in promoting resilience, well-being and health among caregivers. Our findings encourage clinical uses of mindfulness interventions to promote health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Fernández-Portero
- Deparment of Social Antropology, Psychology and Public Health, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (C.F.-P.); (J.G.A.); (J.A.S.-M.)
| | - David Alarcón
- Deparment of Social Antropology, Psychology and Public Health, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (C.F.-P.); (J.G.A.); (J.A.S.-M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-95-4977-406
| | - Ana Gallardo-Flores
- Deparment of Social Work and Social Services, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013 Sevilla, Spain;
| | - Josue G. Amián
- Deparment of Social Antropology, Psychology and Public Health, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (C.F.-P.); (J.G.A.); (J.A.S.-M.)
| | - Jose A. Sánchez-Medina
- Deparment of Social Antropology, Psychology and Public Health, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (C.F.-P.); (J.G.A.); (J.A.S.-M.)
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Carmel S, Singer Y, Yosef-Sela N, Bachner YG. Open communication between caregivers’ and terminally ill cancer patients about illness and death: The role of gender - A correlational study. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2020; 49:101828. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2020.101828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Tranvåg O, Nåden D, Gallagher A. Dignity work of older women caring for a husband with dementia at home. Health Care Women Int 2019; 40:1047-1069. [PMID: 30913004 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2019.1578780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we explored perceptions of dignity, and sources preserving dignity of six older Norwegian women caring for a home-dwelling husband with dementia. Through hermeneutic interpretation of in-depth interviews, "having personal integrity," "mastering everyday life," and "giving of one self" were identified as crucial intrapersonal aspects of dignity - while "acknowledging worthiness and uniqueness of each human being" was found to be an essential interpersonal aspect. Nine dignity-preserving sources identified suggests that the wives engaged in "dignity work" to preserve their own dignity as a caregiver, as well as to safeguard the dignity of their husbands who were vulnerable to dignity loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Tranvåg
- Centre for Elderly and Nursing Home Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway.,Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Women's Health, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet , Oslo , Norway.,Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences , Bergen , Norway
| | - Dagfinn Nåden
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University , Oslo , Norway
| | - Ann Gallagher
- International Care Ethics Observatory, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey , Guildford , UK
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Erol R, Brooker D, Peel E. The impact of dementia on women internationally: An integrative review. Health Care Women Int 2016; 37:1320-1341. [DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2016.1219357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Tierney M, O'Dea A, Danyliv A, Noctor E, McGuire B, Glynn L, Al-Imari H, Dunne F. Factors influencing lifestyle behaviours during and after a gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancy. Health Psychol Behav Med 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2015.1073111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Yiengprugsawan V, Harley D, Seubsman SA, Sleigh AC. Physical and mental health among caregivers: findings from a cross-sectional study of Open University students in Thailand. BMC Public Health 2012; 12:1111. [PMID: 23267664 PMCID: PMC3543164 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2011] [Accepted: 12/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caregivers constitute an important informal workforce, often undervalued, facing challenges to maintain their caring role, health and wellbeing. Little is known about caregivers in middle-income countries like Thailand. This study investigates the physical and mental health of Thai adult caregivers. METHODS This report derives from distance-learning students working and residing throughout Thailand and recruited for a health-risk transition study in 2005 (N=87,134) from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. The cohort follow-up questionnaire in 2009 (N = 60,569) includes questions on caregiver status which were not available in 2005; accordingly, this study is confined to analysis of the 2009 data. We report cross-sectional associations between caregiver status and health. RESULTS Among the study participants in 2009, 27.5% reported being part-time caregivers and 6.6% reported being full-time caregivers. Compared to male non-caregivers, being a part-time or full-time male caregiver was associated with lower back pain (covariate-Adjusted Odds Ratios, AOR 1.36 and 1.67), with poor psychological health (AOR 1.16 and 1.68), but not with poor self-assessed health. Compared to female non-caregivers, being a part- or full-time female caregiver was associated with lower back pain (AOR 1.47 and 1.84), psychological distress (AOR 1.32 and 1.52), and poor self-assessed health (AOR 1.21 and 1.34). CONCLUSIONS Adult caregivers in Thailand experienced a consistent adverse physical and mental health burden. A dose-response effect was evident, with odds ratios higher for full-time caregivers than for part-time, and non-caregivers. Our findings should raise awareness of caregivers, their unmet needs, and support required in Thailand and other similar middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Building 62, Mills Rd, Acton 2601, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - David Harley
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Building 62, Mills Rd, Acton 2601, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Sam-ang Seubsman
- School of Human Ecology, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Adrian C Sleigh
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Building 62, Mills Rd, Acton 2601, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Abstract
Purpose: This study examined activity changes in female carers for working-age husbands with mild to moderate stroke. It explored whether carers who reduced or quitted some of their valued activities had more burden and decreased health compared with other carers who continued their valued activities. Method: This was a cross-sectional, quantitative self-report study. The Activity Card Sort measured reduction or termination of valued activities as a potential indicator of secondary strains, such as role captivity, constricted social life and loss of self. Outcomes were health-related quality of life and burden. Findings: Eleven of the 20 participants reduced or quitted some of their valued activities. This change was labelled ‘occupational loss’. Several statistically significant differences were found: carers with occupational loss reported more primary stressors, higher levels of burden, less vitality and lower general mental health. No difference between groups was found for physical health. Conclusion: Data from this study suggest that occupational loss may be related to deleterious outcomes for family carers. Further investigation with a larger sample and longitudinal design could explore the nature of that relationship to guide occupational therapy with this population.
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Yiengprugsawan V, Seubsman S SA, Sleigh AC. Psychological distress and mental health of Thai caregivers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 2:1-11. [PMID: 23431502 DOI: 10.1186/2211-1522-2-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: As the proportion of elderly people within a population increases there is an accompanying increase in the role of informal caregivers. Many studies on caregivers report negative health outcomes but very few have addressed positive aspects of caregiving. This study examines characteristics of Thai caregivers, the distribution of psychological distress and mental health among caregivers, and the association between caregiver status and psychological distress. METHODS: This report is based on an ongoing national cohort study of 60,569 Thai adults. Caregiving was common in the cohort, and in 2009 6.6% were full-time and 27.5% were part-time caregivers. Outcomes of the study were reported using an international standard Kessler 6 for psychological distress and a national Thai Mental Health Indicator. Determinants included age, sex, marital status, household income, work status and urban-rural residence. Frequency of social contacts was also included as explanatory variable. RESULTS: Among cohort members, 27.5% were part-time caregivers and 6.6% were full-time caregivers. Compared to non-caregivers, full-time caregivers tended to be older, to be married, more likely to be in the lowest household income group, to be unpaid family members, and to reside in rural areas. We noted the seeming contradiction that when compared to non-caregivers, the caregivers reported higher psychological distress but higher positive mental health (i.e., self-esteem and content with life), higher positive mental capacity (i.e., coping with crises), and higher positive mental quality (i.e., helping others). After adjusting for possible covariates, part-time and full-time caregivers were more likely to report high psychological distress (Adjusted Odds Ratios, AOR 1.33 and 1.78 among males and 1.32 and 1.45 among females). Less contact with colleagues was associated with high psychological distress both in males and females (AOR 1.36 and 1.33). Less contact with friends was also associated with high psychological distress, especially among females (AOR 1.27 and 1.42). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights caregivers in Thailand, the strong possibility of mental health benefits, some risks of associated psychological distress, and the positive role of keeping social contacts. Early identification of vulnerable caregivers is required to target effective health promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra
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