ABSTRACT
Qualitative meta-synthesis is a coherent approach to answering an overarching research question by synthesising past qualitative studies so as to create new meanings from their results. We conducted a qualitative meta-synthesis to systematically evaluate and integrate the caregiving experiences of adult children providing care for an elderly parent with cancer. The search was conducted in the databases Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Grew Literature in the Health Sciences, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, SINOMED and China Academic Journals as well as Chinese grey literature databases (China Academic Conference Literature Database/, National Science and Technology Library) from inception to June 9, 2021. Thirteen studies were included in the final synthesis. The caregiver experiences they describe are synthesised into three primary themes: care needs, care burden and care gains, with numerous secondary themes. Besides our findings that seem to align with those from studies focused on other cultures, we have highlighted three main discoveries from the synthesis that stand out in the Chinese context: (1) many sub-themes related to specific caregiving skills; (2) a strong expectation for health professionals to improve their communication skills with family caregivers; (3) the negative and positive influences of filial piety in caregiving experiences. Our findings can help multidisciplinary healthcare teams in China support adult children as caregivers in their emphasis on improving caregiver education and training, ways of making the most of potential care gains, and ways of easing care burdens.
Subject(s)
Adult Children , Neoplasms , Adult , Humans , Aged , Caregivers , Qualitative Research , Neoplasms/therapy , Patient Care TeamABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The relationship between stress and smoking has been established, but there is little research on the effects of stress and coping on smoking in caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients. This study examines how caregiver stressors and coping resources explain smoking status and recent smoking increase. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregivers Health (REACH II) study. Analyses identified differences between caregiver smokers and nonsmokers and between caregiver smokers who reported a recent smoking increase and those who did not. Variables that were significantly different between the groups were examined in two logistic regression analyses to explain smoking status and smoking increase. RESULTS: Of 642 caregivers, nearly 40% reported smoking and 25% of smokers reported recent increase in smoking. Younger caregivers were more likely to report smoking. Explanatory variables for smoking increase were being Caucasian or African-American, higher depression scores, and less caregiving skills. IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrates that smoking among caregivers is a valid public health concern. Further investigation of ways that explanatory variables affect smoking status and increase in caregivers, and incorporation of smoking cessation strategies that address depression and low caregiving skills, seem warranted in future caregiver interventions.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Alzheimer Disease , Caregivers/psychology , Smoking/epidemiology , Stress, Psychological , Black or African American , Aged , Cost of Illness , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , White PeopleABSTRACT
El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar relaciones entre las habilidades para el cuidado (conocimiento, valor y paciencia) y depresión en cuidadores de pacientes con demencia. Se evaluaron 32 cuidadores a quienes se les aplicó el Inventario de depresión de Beck y el Caring Ability Inventory. Los datos se analizaron con SPSS 18.0 Statistics empleando el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson y un modelo de regresión lineal de pasos sucesivos. Se obtuvieron promedios elevados de conocimientos, paciencia y valor, lo cual indica un buen rendimiento de las habilidades para cuidar, mientras que la presencia de manifestaciones depresivas se halló en el 46.9 de la muestra. Finalmente, se establece que la depresión se asoció más a los cuidadores noveles con poca formación educativa y con buen nivel de conocimientos.
This study was aimed to identify relations between caregiving skills (specifically knowledge, courage and patience) and depression in dementia patients caregivers. 32 caregivers were evaluated through the application of Becks Depression Inventory and the Caring Ability Inventory. The data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0 Statistics using the Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise linear regression modelling. Higher average knowledge, patience and courage results were obtained, which indicates a good performance skills to care for, while the presence of depressive manifestations was found in 46.9 of the sample. Finally, it is possible to establish that depression is associated more with novice caregivers with little educational background and a good level of knowledge.
