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(JCFK) JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE OF KAZAKHSTAN (E-ISSN 2313-1519)
Original article DOI: https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/9655
Investigation of the relationship between care burden and anxiety levels of terminal period patient relatives
Metin Yildiz1, Yakup Sarpdagi2, Mehmet Salih Yildirim3, Guray Okyar1
'Department of Nursing, School of Health, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Agri, Turkey 2Public Health Nursing, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
3Dogubayazit Ahmed-i Hani Vocational School, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Agri, Turkey
Abstract
Objective: This research was carried out to examine the relationship between care burden and anxiety levels of terminal period patient relatives.
Material and methods: This research, which is planned as descriptive-correlational type, was conducted between March and May 2020 in Van Training and Research Hospital.
Results: According to the findings obtained from the study, the Beck Anxiety Inventory total score median of the individuals was determined to be 14.00. The total score median of the Zarit Care Burden Scale was determined to be 48.00. A positive statistically significant relationship was found between Beck Anxiety Inventory and Zarit Care Burden Scale total score medians (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Individuals have been found to have moderate anxiety and "severe burden". Palliative care nurses should support the psychological and basic aspects of individuals with nursing interventions necessary for caregivers to cope with anxiety and feel less care burdens. It is recommended to carry out culture-specific programs and long-term clinical studies to ensure that caregivers are able to cope with anxiety.
Key words: anxiety, care burden, terminal period
Received: 2020-11-07. Accepted: 2020-11-16
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
J Clin Med Kaz 2021; 18(1):48-52
Corresponding author: Metin Yildiz.
E-mail: [email protected]; ORCID: 0000-0003-0122-5677
Introduction
Palliative care service includes all the services provided to improve the quality of the remaining life of the individual receiving care. Palliative care reduces the burden experienced by the patient, caregivers and the patient's family [1, 2]. Care for palliative care patients is usually provided by caregivers providing free services or someone who supplies the daily needs of the patient (for example, family member, friend, neighbor) (for example, bathing, dressing) [3]. Family members of palliative care patients care about the daily needs of various patients and have a close relationship with healthcare professionals. Multiple care needs of palliative patients can affect the health of caregivers [4]. As the disease progresses, a large number of physical, mental and cognitive and varying symptoms may create the need to provide care for family members or other caregivers. This responsibility is usually fulfilled by spouses or children and is often perceived as family responsibility [5]. For this reason, problems with aging affect not only the person in need of nursing but also family members and their relatives who care for them [6]. Despite the change in social
structure, more than half of the responsibility of caring for the elderly is carried out by the family due to the strong family structure that continues in our country and developed countries [7]. Continuous care burden prevents the caregiver from taking enough time for himself and negatively affects mental health.
As a result, the caregiver experiences psychological problems such as unhappiness, restlessness, anxiety and depressive mood; cannot enjoy enough life and quality of life decreases [8]. Studies also reveal that caregivers have depression along with care burdens, physical, emotional and mental health impairments. Today, health problems arising due to old age and conditions such as anxiety, stress, psychosocial and behavioral changes arising due to the burden of caregivers are more frequently encountered [9]. In order to continue providing care, social, physical and mental needs of caregivers must be met. Caregivers also need health support. [10]. The number of studies evaluating the mental health and burden of care about the caregivers of the patients hospitalized in the palliative service is low. The mental state of the caregivers and the problems they face are
sometimes overlooked by healthcare professionals. This study is planned to determine the level of anxiety in the caregivers and to support the people in need, and to shed light on future studies.
Material and methods Study design
This research, which is planned as descriptive-correlational type, was conducted between March and May 2020 in Van Training and Research Hospital.
The target population of the study consisted of individuals with terminal period patient at Van Training and Research Hospital, which located east of Turkey. The sample of the study consisted of individuals who have terminal period patients at Van Education and Research Hospital located in the east of Turkey, who meet the research criteria and agree to participate in the study.
Collection of data
In the collection of research data, Introductory Information Form, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Zarit Care Burden Scale were used. After explaining the purpose of the research, after obtaining verbal consent from those who voluntarily accepted to participate in the research, the data were collected online with the Google form prepared by the researchers.
Data collection tools
1. Introductory Information Form: It consists of questions created by researchers and containing the identifying features of individuals.
2. Beck Anxiety Inventory: It is a scale consisting of 21 items developed by Beck to measure anxiety symptoms and reveal the cognitive aspects of anxiety [11]. Ulusoy conducted the first validity and reliability studies of the scale (test-retest-reliability coefficient r=0.57). In line with the results of the study, it was stated that it can be used safely in anxiety rating and treatment monitoring studies [12]. It is a Likert type scale consisting of 21 items and scored between 0-3. For each item, "None", ""Mild Degree",""Medium Degree", ""Severely" options are required to be marked. The highest score is 63 points, the high score indicates the severity of anxiety and 0-7 points are no anxiety, 8-15 points are mild anxiety, 16-25 moderate anxiety and 26-63 points are divided into four categories. 13 items evaluate physiological symptoms, 5 items explain the direction of comprehension, 3 items symbolize both somatic
and comprehension symptoms. In our study, the cronbach alpha value was found to be 0.92.
3. Zarit Care Burden Scale: It was developed in 1980 by Zarit, Reever and Bach-Peterson [13]. It is a scale used to evaluate the problem experienced by the caregivers of the individual who needs care. The scale, which can be filled in by asking the caregivers themselves or by the researcher, consists of 22 statements that determine the effect of caregiving on the individual's life. The scale has a Likert type rating ranging from 1 to 5 like "never, rarely, sometimes, often or almost always". The high scale score indicates that the problem experienced was high. The scoring interval is between 0-88 and if the scores obtained are between 0-24 points, "light load"; "Moderate load" between 25-33 points; Between 34-88 points, it is evaluated as "severe load". The cronbach's alpha value of the scale was found to be 0.92 [13]. The Turkish validity and reliability study of the scale was conducted in 2008 by inci and Erdem [14]. In our study, the cronbach alpha value was found to be 0.78.
Analysis of data
The analysis of the data was done on the computer using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS-22) statistical software [15]. Frequency, descriptives, percentage, median and percentiles were used as descriptive statistical methods. MannWhitney U test was used for data that is not normally distributed for binary groups. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for data that is not normally distributed for groups more than two. Spearman correlation test was used to determine whether there is a linear relationship between the two numerical measurements, the direction and severity of this relationship, if any. In our study (p<0.05), it was accepted as statistically significant difference.
Ethical principles
Ethical approval was obtained from Agri Ibrahim Cecen University Scientific Research Ethics Committee (Date: 27/02/2020 and number: 17) and written permission was obtained from the institutions where the study would be conducted. Verbal permission was obtained from those who wanted to participate in the research by making necessary explanations to the individuals included in the research.
Results
It was determined that 54.0% of the individuals participating in the study were female, 60.6% were single, 43.8% were secondary education graduates, 46.7% were income
Descriptive Characteristics of Individuals (N = 137)
Variables
Median Percentile 25 Percentile 75
Age (Year) 26 23.00 48.00
n %
Gender Female 74 54.0
Male 63 46.0
Marital status Single 83 60.6
Married 54 39.4
Education Level Primary education 44 32.1
Secondary education 60 43.8
High education 33 24.1
Income rate Less than income 39 28.5
Income equal to expense 64 46.7
More than income 34 24.8
Family Type Nuclear family 91 66.4
Extended family 46 33.6
The results are expressed as number (n), percent (%), median and percentiles.
Table 2
The Total Score Medians of Beck Anxiety Inventory and Zarit Care Burden Scale
Median Percentile 25 Percentile 75
Beck Anxiety Inventory 14.00 5.00 24.00
Zarit Care Burden Scale 48.00 43.00 62.00
The results are expressed as median and percentiles.
Comparison of the Demographic Characteristics of the Individuals and Beck Anxiety Inventory
Variables n Median Percentile 25 Percentile 75 Statistic
Gender Female 74 20.00 10.00 24.00 U=1747.0
Male 63 10.00 4.00 24.00 P= 0.011
Marital status Single 83 10.00 4.00 23.00 U=1894.0
Married 54 20.00 6.00 24.00 P= 0.124
Education Level Primary education 44 20.00 6.00 24.00 KW=1.087
Secondary education 60 12.00 4.00 24.00 P=0.581
High education 33 14.00 4.00 23.00
Income rate Less than income 39 24.00 20.00 36.00 KW=15.754
Income equal to expense 64 10.00 4.00 23.00 P= 0.000
More than income 34 8.00 4.00 14.00
Family Type Nuclear family 91 14.00 6.00 24.00 U=1611.00
Extended family 46 10.00 4.00 20.00 P=0.027
(The results are expressed as median and percentiles, Mann -Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis Test and P-value).
Table 4 Comparison of the Demographic Characteristics of the Individuals and Zarit Care Burden Scale
Variables n Median Percentile 25 Percentile 75 Statistic
Gender Female 74 48.00 44.00 53.00 U=2118.00
Male 63 45.00 40.00 62.00 P= 0.356
Marital status Single 83 44.00 40.00 49.00 U=1122.50
Married 54 53.00 45.00 62.00 P= 0.000
Education Level Primary education 44 53.00 44.00 52.00 KW=7.213
Secondary education 60 46.00 42.00 63.00 P=0.027
High education 33 47.00 40.00 48.00
Income rate Less than income 39 62.00 48.00 71.00 KW=20.462
Income equal to expense 64 45.00 42.00 59.75 P= 0.000
More than income 34 45.50 39.00 50.00
Family Type Nuclear family 91 48.00 45.00 62.00 U=1540.00
Extended family 46 44.00 41.50 53.00 P=0.011
(The results are expressed as median and percentiles, Mann -Whitney U Test, Kruskal Wallis Test and P-value).
The Relationship Between Beck Anxiety Inventory and Zarit Care Burden Scale Total Score Median and Age
(1) (2) (3)
(1) Beck Anxiety Inventory r - .637* -.062
p - .015 .474
(2) Zarit Care Burden Scale r .637* - -.040
p .015 - .641
(3) Age (Year) r -.062 -.040 -
p .474 .641 -
(The results are expressed as Spearman Correlation Test).
is equal to the expense, 66.4% were nuclear family types and the was determined to be 14.00. The total score median of the Zarit
median age of the group was 26 (Table 1). Care Burden Scale was determined to be 48.00 (Table 2).
According to the findings obtained from the study, the Beck Anxiety Inventory total score median was found to
Beck Anxiety Inventory total score median of the individuals be statistically significantly higher in women, in those whose
income is less than their expenses and living in nuclear family type. (p<0.05) (Table 3).
The total score median of the Zarit Care Burden Scale was found to be statistically significantly higher in married, primary school graduates, in those whose income is less than their expenses and living in the form of nuclear families (p<0.05) (Table 4).
A positive statistically significant relationship was found between Beck Anxiety Inventory total score median and Zarit Care Burden Scale total score median. (p<0.05) (Table 5).
Discussion
Anxiety, stress and psychosocial changes can be observed due to the burden of caregivers [9]. In this section, findings about care loads and anxiety levels are discussed in the light of the literature.
According to the findings obtained from the study, it was determined that the total score median of the Beck Anxiety Inventory of the individuals was 14.00. In studies conducted, it was found that individuals, who undertake patient care, have an average level of emotions such as anxiety and sadness [16-18].
Beck Anxiety Inventory total score median was found to be statistically significantly higher in women (p<0.05). Similar results were found in some studies [19,20].
The Beck Anxiety Inventory total score median was found to be statistically significantly higher in those whose income was less than expense (p<0.05). In the study of Santas and Buyukbayram, the average anxiety score of the caregivers was found higher in unemployed people with low economic level without social security [21]. In the study conducted by Alacacioglu, it was observed that the level of anxiety was higher in caregivers with low income level [22]. The fact that the income level is at a good level makes us think that the anxiety level will decrease due to the fact that the treatment expenses related to the disease are met and this will cause the caregivers to concentrate on the attention and support of the patient.
Beck Anxiety Inventory total score median was found to be statistically significantly higher in people living in nuclear family type (p<0.05). There is no similar study in the literature. It is thought that this situation increase the burden of care by the small number of family members and the experiences of the grandparents in the extended family are effective in experiencing emotionally less anxiety.
It was determined that the total score median of the Zarit Care Burden Scale was 48.00. Similar results have been found in many studies [23-25].
The total score median of the Zarit Care Burden Scale was found to be statistically significantly higher in the married (p< 0.05). Similarly, in the study conducted by Tel et al, it was found that the care burden of the married people was higher [26].
The total score median of the Zarit Care Burden Scale was statistically significantly higher in primary school graduates (p< 0.05). In the study conducted by Orak and Sezgin, it was determined that those with low education level among the caregivers had higher care burden [27]. According to these findings, it may be thought that people with low education level may have difficulties in obtaining information or other support from nurses and other health personnel and may have problems in socializing in carrying out the care process compared to more educated people.
The total score median of the Zarit Care Burden Scale was found to be statistically significantly higher in those whose income is less than their expenses (p<0.05). Similar results
were found in the study of Ozdemir et al. and in the study of Capik [28,29]. Giving care brings full-day responsibility to the individual and causes changes in the daily activities of families. Family members responsible for the patient; economic difficulties caused by the disease, changing the way of working, loss of income, may lead to restrictions in daily relationships with the family and social environment [30].
The total score median of the Zarit Care Burden Scale was found to be statistically significantly higher in people living in the nuclear family type (p<0.05). Contrary to our study, Tel et al's study was found high in the extended family [26]. Patriarchal and matriarchal family structure is now maintained even in the nuclear family structure. The proximity to the individual in need of care affects the responsibility of care. The responsibilities of individuals in the family differ even within themselves. It is thought that such a result occurred in our study due to the increase in the entry of mothers into the business life, higher expenses associated with care for the patient and the greater responsibility of each individual due to the small number of families compared to the extended family.
A positive statistically significant relationship was found between Beck Anxiety Inventory total score median and Zarit Care Burden Scale total score median (p<0.05). Many studies also show that those with higher care burden have higher anxiety levels [16-18,20,22]. Care burden levels and difficulties of caregivers suggest that individuals are affected by biopsychosocial aspects and uncertainty about their patients increases the level of anxiety.
Conclusion
According to the results of the research, it was determined that individuals have moderate anxiety and "severe burden". Palliative care nurses should support the psychological and basic aspects of individuals with nursing interventions necessary for caregivers to cope with anxiety and feel less care burdens. It is recommended to conduct culture-specific programs and long-term clinical studies to ensure that caregivers are able to cope with anxiety.
Disclosures: There is no conflict of interest for all authors.
Acknowledgments: The authors wish to thank all participants for engaging in this study.
Funding: No financial support was received by any of the authors for the research of this article.
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