Factors influencing psychosocial adjustment and quality of life in Parkinson patients and informal caregivers

Abstract

ObjectiveThe influence that social conditions and personal attitudes may have on the quality of life (QoL) of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and informal caregivers does not receive enough attention in health care, as a result of it not being clearly identified, especially in informal caregivers. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive analysis of psychosocial adjustment and QoL determinants in PD patients and informal caregivers.MethodsNinety-one PD patients and 83 caregivers participated in the study. Multiple regression analyses were performed including benefit finding, coping, disease severity and socio-demographic factors, in order to determine how these aspects influence the psychosocial adjustment and QoL in PD patients and caregivers.ResultsRegression models showed that severity of PD was the main predictor of psychosocial adjustment and QoL in patients. Nevertheless, multiple regression analyses also revealed that coping was a significant predictor of psychosocial adjustment in patients and caregivers. Furthermore, psychosocial adjustment was significantly related to QoL in patients and caregivers. Also, coping and benefit finding were predictors of QoL in caregivers but not in patients.ConclusionsMultidisciplinary interventions aimed at improving PD patients’ QoL may have more effective outcomes if education about coping skills, and how these can help towards a positive psychosocial adjustment to illness, were included, and targeted not only at patients, but also at informal caregivers.

Core elements to understand and improve coping with Parkinson's disease in patients and family carers: A focus group study

“…This was a mixed‐method study with an explanatory sequential design (Creswell & Plano Clark, ). Other results of this research have been published elsewhere (Navarta‐Sánchez et al., , ). This study is part of the ReNACE research programme to design multidisciplinary education interventions to promote positive living with a LTC in patients and relatives.…”

“…The benefits of psychosocial adaptation for PD patients and their family carers were identified recently (Navarta‐Sánchez et al., ). The authors highlight that psychosocial adaptation significantly influences both the quality of life of the patient with PD and their family carer.…”

Social role functioning in Parkinson's disease: A mixed‐methods systematic review

“…31 Schüpbach et al reported improved family relationships after DBS surgery were more common than strained relationships. 40 People living with Parkinson's reported the need to "protect" their families and did not want their children to "miss out" on anything because of the diagnosis. Five papers described that communication early in the disease was crucial for facilitating understanding of the disease among family members and reducing its burden.…”

“…Five papers described that communication early in the disease was crucial for facilitating understanding of the disease among family members and reducing its burden. 40 Receiving support from their family helped make people living with Parkinson's feel more secure and motivated to maintain their treatment regimen. 41 Navarta-Sanchez et al described how health-care providers and family members influenced the way people living with Parkinson's handled their disease.…”

“…40 People living with Parkinson's reported the need to "protect" their families and did not want their children to "miss out" on anything because of the diagnosis. 40 Four papers described family relationship satisfaction in PD. 40 Receiving support from their family helped make people living with Parkinson's feel more secure and motivated to maintain their treatment regimen.…”