Objectives: Caregiving is often associated with burden and chronic stress. Sense of coherence (SOC) may help the caregivers in coping with their stress and was identified as a positive factor for health outcomes and quality of life. We aimed to study the links between SOC, burden, depression and positive affects among caregivers of frail older patients.
Methods: Seventy-nine spousal caregivers were recruited via the geriatric outpatient clinic.
Data collected: Zarit Burden Inventory, SOC-13, Geriatric Depression Scale, Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA), sleep, time of supervision, Katz Index, Global Deterioration Scale and Neuropsychiatric Inventory.
Analyses: Caregiver's characteristics were analyzed by burden severity and SOC level. Multivariable logistic regressions were used in order to identify the variable that best predict caregiver burden and high SOC.
Results: The mean age was 79.4±5.3; 53% were women. Among care-recipient, 82% had cognitive impairment and the median Katz Index was 3. Caregivers with a high SOC and an older age reported a lower burden (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04-0.65 and OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.98, respectively). A higher burden was associated with patient functional limitations (OR 8.69, 95% CI 2.28-40.46).
Discussion: Having a high sense of coherence seems to be a protective factor against the burden. To support caregivers, health providers should recognize the expertise of the caregivers and the meaningfulness of this care situation.
Keywords: Informal care; Meaningfulness; Salutogenesis; Self-fulfillment.
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