Caregiver Burden and Mental Health Outcomes. Intervention Possibilities and General Overview

Book excerpt: Scientific Essay from the year 2021 in the subject Health - Mental Health, grade: 99.1, , language: English, abstract: Caregiver burden is regularly used in nursing literature. However, it has not been yet clearly defined because there are various opinions regarding the concept. This document provides clarity surrounding the concept of caregiver burden and outcomes associated with it. Caregiver burnout can harm the health of the caregiver and has been linked to increased stress, depression, and decline in physical health. Caregiver burnout is correlated with the profession of nursing and common in caregivers caring for chronically ill family members. Knowing and identifying the signs and symptoms associated with caregiver burden can decrease adverse events for both the caregiver and the patient. Caregiver burnout can have physical and psychological effects on the caregiver. Appropriate interventions are needed to alleviate the stress and promote a better quality of life for themselves and their patient. The author did his research from the following databases; CINAHL, MEDLINE, Health Source Nursing, COCHRANE, and Academic Search Complete (ASC) of EBSCO. The paper adopted the framework by Walker and Avant. The antecedents, attributes, consequences, and uses of the concept were identified. The three attributes of caregiver burden were identified as multifaceted strain, self-perception, and over time. The antecedents included lack of social activities, insufficient financial resources, and multiple responsibility conflict. The consequences of caregiver burden resulted in negative change which includes; a decrease in quality of life, decreased care provision, physical and psychological health deterioration. Generations and Gender Programme (GGP) data from France, Georgia, Bulgaria, Russia, and Romania were researched, and depression score is the outcome variable. A definition of caregiver burden was developed. Tools to measure caregiver burden were identified. The findings from this research can be used in nursing practice, nursing education, research, and administration. Providing parent care is stressful, and these stresses are associated with adverse mental health outcomes.