Vivencia de los cuidadores familiares de adultos mayores que sufren depresión

Abstract

Portuguese / English: www.scielo.br/reeusp RESUMEN La investigación tuvo como objetivo comprender cómo los cuidadores familiares vivencian la depresión de los adultos mayores, en su contexto cultural. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo de trayectoria etnográ-fica utilizando el referencial de Spradley. El universo cultural se constituyó con familiares, quienes ejercían el rol de cuidador, obteniéndose su participación a través de consentimiento informado. La enfermedad es percibida por los cuidadores como una limitación profunda en la calidad de vida del anciano, sumando soledad, tristeza y dolor. Los sentimientos de los pacientes deprimidos se hacen extensivos a los cuidadores, quienes también corren el riesgo de deprimirse. Las responsabilidades propias del cuidado también generan en los cuidadores sentimientos de culpa, lo cual los expone a un mayor grado de sufrimiento. Los familiares reconocen las formas de inicio de la enfermedad, sus atributos, las formas de tratamiento, y el estigma social asociado a la enfermedad mental y su rol fundamental de apoyo y cuidado en la recuperación. DESCRIPTORES ABSTRACTThe objective of the study was to understand how family caregivers experience the depression of older people in their care, within their cultural context. This is a qualitative study of ethnographic trajectory, performed using Spradley as the framework. The cultural universe consisted of relatives who performed the role of caregivers, who provided informed consent. Caregivers perceived the disease as a deep limitation on their way of living, involving loneliness, sadness and pity. The feelings of the depressed patients extend to the caregiver, who also faces the risk of suffering from depression. The responsibilities of caring also generate feelings of guilt that produce more suffering. Relatives recognize the onset of the disease, their attributes, the forms of treatment, and the social stigma associated with this mental disease and that they have a fundamental role in providing support and care in the recovery process.

The gender perspective in the opinions and discourse of women about caregiving

“…The results of this study corroborate those of others that have analyzed the effects of caregiving on the lives of women; the results show that caregivers experience considerable emotional burdens, and are subject to anxiety and depression, experiencing lower subjective well-being (27)(28) . The burden involves their physical, psychological and social lives, which results in lower quality of life.…”

Experiences of adults providing care to a partner or relative with depression: A meta-ethnographic synthesis

“…Interestingly, in the only study focussing on older people with depression, Gonzalez et al (2010) found that family caregivers associated depression with the natural phase of the life cycle as opposed to internal causes. Radfar et al (2014) reported that psychological, physical and financial factors imposed on families result in a 'turbulent life', which seemed to encapsulate the intense burden experienced by caregivers across all of the studies.…”

“…Often these harsher strategies were utilised for caregiver self-preservation. Interestingly, all bar two of the studies (Gonzalez et al, 2010;Stjernsward & Ostman, 2008) focussed on coping strategies employed by the caregiver to support the person with depression rather than to support the caregiver themselves.…”

Cuidar da mãe idosa no contexto domiciliar: perspectiva de filhas

“…Usually, caring for an elderly person is the responsibility of one or two members of a family, who may feel overburdened and alienated from other family members. 20 This fact suggests the need to outline effective interventions and support programs in order to manage caregiving activities and reduce the strain related to them. 21 The comprehensive analysis concerning the experience of daughters related to caring for elderly mothers reflects the "reasons why" interconnected with caregiving actions.…”