Psychology Research and Behavior Management (Feb 2020)
The Relationship Between Care Burden and Coping Strategies in Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients in Kermanshah, Iran
Abstract
Lida Menati,1 Yousef Torabi,2 Bahare Andayeshgar,1 Alireza Khatony3 1Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; 2Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; 3Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IranCorrespondence: Alireza KhatonyClinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah, IranTel/Fax +98 38 279 394Email [email protected]: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between care burden and coping strategies in caregivers of hemodialysis patients.Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from September to December 2018 in Kermanshah, Iran. A total of 130 caregivers of patients admitted to the hemodialysis wards of Imam Reza and Imam Khomeini hospitals of Kermanshah, Iran were selected via convenience sampling. Data-collection tools included a demographic information form, caregiver-burden inventory, and coping inventory for stressful situations. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests.Results: The mean age of the caregivers was 35.8± 13.7 years, and 71 (54.6%) were patients’ children. The mean caregiver-burden score was 58.5± 20.5 out of 96. Mean scores of time-dependent, evolutionary, physical, social, and emotion-dependent care burdens were 17.5± 5.3, 12.2± 6.3, 9.1± 4.7, 8.2± 4.0, and 11.4± 5.1, respectively. Mean scores of problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidance-oriented coping strategies were 46.0± 80.8, 43.1± 9.0, and 48.9± 9.5, respectively. Among the strategies, only the avoidance-oriented one had a significant positive relationship with total care burden and all its subscales.Conclusion: Caregivers of hemodialysis patients experienced a relatively high care burden. However, they did not use appropriate coping strategies; therefore, they should be trained to select an effective coping strategy.Keywords: avoidance-oriented coping strategy, burden, coping, family caregiver, hemodialysis