[Guilt and well-being in institutionalized family caregivers of dependent older adult people].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

The experience of family caregivers after nursing home admission has received much less attention, probably because many caregivers experience an initial sense of initial emotional relief. However, for some caregivers nursing home admission is a stressor despite the reduced physical burden of caregiving. Caregiver distress following institutionalization has been related to the new burdens and challenges encountered in the nursing home. Ambivalence and guilt related to the institutionalization decision have been identified as sources of stress. Therefore, this study examined the effect of guilt and well-being on the perceived stress of family caregivers of institutionalized dependent persons.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred and one family caregivers of institutionalized persons in a nursing home (La Rioja, Spain) participated. Perceived stress, caregiving guilt and subjective well-being, sociodemographic and caregiving-related variables were assessed. Linear regression analyses and correlations between variables were performed.

RESULTS

Guilt and five dimensions of well-being (anxiety, vitality, self-control and depression, except general health) significantly predicted stress (Radj=.552 (F (6, 198)=41.71, P<.001)). The effect size was large (95% CI=.461).

CONCLUSIONS

Paying attention to family caregivers' feelings of guilt during institutionalization is important. This will enable the design and implementation of psychosocial interventions that improve caregiver adjustment immediately after institutionalization.