ABSTRACT
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate what factors influence caregiver strain in informal caregivers just before inpatients are discharged. BACKGROUND: Previous research has investigated the risk factors related to the burden on caregivers in different clinical contexts. However, the findings from studies analysing these factors just before inpatients are discharged are uncertain. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design. METHODS: The study involved 100 inpatients and 100 informal caregivers from seven different hospital units. Sociodemographic, clinical, functional and cognitive factors of inpatients-caregivers, and caregiver strains were recorded. Descriptive, bivariate correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Caregivers of inpatients at risk of ulcers had significantly higher scores of strain. Dependency in activities of daily living scores and cognitive status scores were statistically inversely proportional to caregiver strain. Almost 27% of total variance of caregiver strain was due to dependency in activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS: Caregiver strain was mainly associated with those situations in which the hospitalised patients presented the risk of ulcers, dependency and cognitive disorders, with dependency in activities of daily living being the factor that most influenced informal caregiver strain. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Dependency in activities of daily living, among other risk factors, should be evaluated at an early stage, monitored and controlled by hospital nursing staff. These strategies could protect and promote the well-being and quality of life of informal caregivers during patient hospitalisation and after discharge.