[Coping and subjective burden in primary caregivers of dependent elderly relatives in Andalusia, Spain].

PURPOSE

To analyse the relationship between the type of coping and subjective burden in caregivers of dependent elderly relatives in Andalusia (Spain).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

LOCATION

Primary Health Care (autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain).

PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample of 198 primary caregivers of dependent elderly relatives.

KEY MEASUREMENTS

Coping (Brief COPE), subjective burden (caregiver stress index), objective burden (functional capacity [Barthel Index], cognitive impairment [Pfeiffer Test], behavioural problems of the care recipient [Neuropsychiatric Inventory], and caregivers' dedication to caring), gender and kinship.

RESULTS

Most caregivers were women (89.4%), daughters of the care recipient (57.1%), and shared home with him/her (69.7%). On controlling for objective burden, gender and kinship, it was found that subjective burden was positively associated with dysfunctional coping (β=0.28; P<.001) and negatively with emotion-focused coping (β=-0.25; P=.001), while no association was found with problem-focused coping.

CONCLUSIONS

Dysfunctional coping may be a risk factor for subjective burden, and emotion-focused coping may be a protective factor for that subjective burden regardless of the objective burden, and gender and kinship of the caregivers.