SUPORTE SOCIAL EM CUIDADORES INFORMAIS DE DEPENDENTES DE SUBSTÂNCIAS

Abstract

Informal caregivers must cope with situations that may induce stress and burden. A sample with 120 addicts’ caregivers, living in Portugal, completed a survey that included BDI (Beck, et al., 1961; McIntyre & Araújo-Soares, 1999), BSI (Canavarro, 1999; Derogatis, 1975, 1993), CRA (Given, et al., 1992), WHOQOL–Bref (Fleck, 2000; Vaz Serra, et al., 2006) and IESSS (Ensel & Woe lfel, 1986; Faria, 1999). Afterwards, the participants were assigned to one of three groups (G1, G2 and G3), based on the abstinence time of the family member whom they cared. This study explored the relationship among clinical variables, psychological variables and s ocial s upport in those caregivers. The results revealed that l iving with the patient, distress, q uality of life (social relations and psychological) and burden predict s ocial s upport, explaining 48% of the observed variance. The mediation model demonstrated the s ocial s upport was a partial mediator of the relationship between distress and burden, explaining 60% of the observed variance. Thus, the study emphasizes the importance of promoting s ocial s upport in order to lessen the impact of distress and burden on informal caregivers.