Self-Compassion, Coping Strategies, and Caregiver Burden in Caregivers of People with Dementia
Year: 2018
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Caring for someone with dementia can have negative consequences for caregivers, a phenomenon known as caregiver burden. Coping strategies influence the impact of caregiving-related stress. Specifically, using emotion-focused strategies has been associated with lower levels of burden, whereas dysfunctional strategies have been related to increased burden. The concept of self-compassion has been linked to both positive outcomes and the coping strategies that are most advantageous to caregivers. However, as yet, no research has studied self-compassion in caregivers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between self-compassion, coping strategies and caregiver burden in dementia caregivers. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey data was collected from 73 informal caregivers of people with dementia recruited from post-diagnostic support services and caregiver support groups. RESULTS: Self-compassion was found to be negatively related to caregiver burden and dysfunctional coping strategies and positively related to emotion-focused coping strategies. Dysfunctional strategies mediated the relationship between self-compassion and caregiver burden, whereas emotion-focused strategies did not. CONCLUSION: Caregivers with higher levels of self-compassion report lower levels of burden and this is at least partly due to the use of less dysfunctional coping strategies. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Interventions that develop self-compassion could represent a useful intervention for struggling caregivers.
Source: Clinical Gerontologist
Authors: Joanna Lloyd, Jane Muers, Tom G Patterson, Magdalena Marczak
Institution: Coventry University
Language: English
Topic: Nursing care and research
Subfield: Research and Theory
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2802449859