Perceived health, caregiver burden, and quality of life in women partners providing care to Veterans with traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Abstract-Families of Veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often faced with providing long-term informal care to their loved one. However, little is known about how their perceived health and caregiving burden contribute to their quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this descriptive study was to describe perceived health, somatic symptoms, caregiver burden, and perceived QOL and to identify the extent to which these variables are associated with QOL in female partners/ spouses of Veterans with TBI. Participants completed a written questionnaire including the general health subscale of the 12-Item Short Form Survey version 2, the Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Caregiver Reaction Assessment, and Quality of Life Index. Caregivers reported moderate levels of QOL, and over a quarter of the sample reported high levels of somatic symptoms, particularly fatigue and sleep disturbance. Age, perceived general health, somatic symptoms, the five subscales of caregiver burden (self-esteem, disrupted schedule, effect on finances, lack of family support, and effect on health) predicted QOL and explained 64% of its variance (adjusted r 2 = 0.64, F(8,31) = 9.59). However, only somatic symptoms and the caregiver burden subscales of self-esteem and effect on finances were significant predictors in the model. These findings have implications for development of family-centered interventions to enhance the QOL of informal caregivers of Veterans with TBI.

Impact of severe polyhandicap cared for at home on French informal caregivers’ burden: a cross-sectional study

“…Our results are in line with the findings from various countries, reported in the meta-synthesis conducted by Dantas et al , showing that parents and families of children with multiple disabilities experience difficulties resulting from the burden of care (health problems, limitations to others activities, increased financial costs) 9. The negative financial impact and the negative planification impact were the most affected dimensions, as previously reported by informal caregivers of patients with other conditions: patients with traumatic brain injury,19 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,20 cancer21 22 and chronic illness 21. However, considering that caregiver burden may be defined by positive or negative feelings that may be experienced when giving care,23 we also found a substantial positive impact on self-esteem.…”

“…However, considering that caregiver burden may be defined by positive or negative feelings that may be experienced when giving care,23 we also found a substantial positive impact on self-esteem. This finding was previously reported in other complex conditions: caregivers of blind children,24 traumatic brain injury patients,19 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients20 and cancer patients 21 22. It is increasingly recognised that the caregiving experience is not only associated with negative consequences, but can result in subjective gains and satisfaction,25 promote a sense of accomplishment and companionship, and improve self-esteem.…”

Understanding the Impact of Patients’ Disease Types on Caregiving Time and Caregiver Burden: An Analysis of the Health Information National Trends Survey

“…An informal caregiver is a person who offers unpaid or ill-compensated care to a family member, friend, or partner due to illness-related reasons or old age. Results indicate that informal caregivers often experience substantial physical and psychological health consequences as a result of caregiving, such as fatigue [4,5], loss of sleep [6,7], perceived stigma [8,9], anxiety symptoms [10,11], depression disorders [12,13], worsened subjective wellbeing [14,15], and compromised quality of life [16,17]. Evidence further shows that informal caregivers' selfrated health has been in decline for the past ve years, further widening the gap between caregivers and the general population' health status [18].…”

“You don't look for it”-A study of Swiss professionals’ awareness of young carers and their support needs

“…Saban et al. () reported that caregivers had a high rate of somatic symptoms such as sleep disturbances and fatigue and these, along with caregivers’ perceived burden were predictors of quality of life.…”

“…Similarly, Sales (2003) reported that providing care could lead to feelings of burden and strain which reduced the perceived quality of life. Saban et al (2016) reported that caregivers had a high rate of somatic symptoms such as sleep disturbances and fatigue and these, along with caregivers' perceived burden were predictors of quality of life. Bischofberger, Jähnke, Rudin, and Stutz (2014) examined the support available for carers in Switzerland for the Swiss Federal Government which subsequently launched a national action plan to help caring relatives.…”