Document Detail


Problems and benefits reported by stroke family caregivers: results from a prospective epidemiological study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19407230     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke symptoms can be very stressful for family caregivers, but most knowledge about the prevalence and stressfulness of stroke-related patient problems is derived from convenience samples. In addition, little is known about perceived benefits of the stroke caregiving experience. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and stressfulness of stroke-related problems, and perceived benefits of caregiving, as reported by an epidemiologically derived sample of caregivers of stroke survivors.
METHODS: Stroke survivors (N=75) from a prospective epidemiological study of stroke, the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, and their family caregivers were followed. Caregivers were given a comprehensive telephone interview 8 to 12 months after the stroke, using measures of stroke patient problems, caregiver appraisals of the stressfulness of these problems, and perceived benefits of caregiving.
RESULTS: Caregivers rated patient problems with mood (depression, loneliness and anxiety), memory, and physical care (bowel control), as the most stressful, but reported prevalence of these problems was lower than those reported previously in studies using clinical samples. Caregivers also reported many benefits from caregiving, with over 90% reporting that caregiving enabled them to appreciate life more.
CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiologically based studies of stroke caregiving provide a unique picture of caregiver strains and benefits compared with clinical studies, which tend to over-represent more impaired patients. Support for caregivers should include interventions to aid their coping with highly stressful mood, physical care, and cognitive problems of stroke patients, but should also attend to perceived benefits of caregiving.
Authors:
William E Haley; Jessica Y Allen; Joan S Grant; Olivio J Clay; Martinique Perkins; David L Roth
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural     Date:  2009-04-30
Journal Detail:
Title:  Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation     Volume:  40     ISSN:  1524-4628     ISO Abbreviation:  Stroke     Publication Date:  2009 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-05-25     Completed Date:  2009-06-12     Revised Date:  2011-09-26    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0235266     Medline TA:  Stroke     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  2129-33     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, MHC 1343, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620-8100, USA. whaley@cas.usf.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Activities of Daily Living
Affect / physiology
Aged
Caregivers / psychology*,  statistics & numerical data*
Cognition Disorders / epidemiology,  psychology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression / epidemiology,  psychology
Fecal Incontinence / etiology
Female
Humans
Language
Male
Memory / physiology
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
Socioeconomic Factors
Stress, Psychological / etiology,  psychology*
Stroke / epidemiology*,  psychology*
Survivors
Telephone
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
R01 NS045789/NS/NINDS NIH HHS; R01 NS045789-04/NS/NINDS NIH HHS; U01 NS041588/NS/NINDS NIH HHS; U01 NS041588-05/NS/NINDS NIH HHS
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