Mental health problems among caregivers of the elderly with chronic illnesses, Chiang Rai Province

Authors

  • Jutamas Muangmool Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University
  • Pinatthinee Jitkham aculty of Public Health, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University
  • Anursara Boonjit Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University
  • Nattra Somkamlang Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University
  • Phatcharin Winyangkul Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University
  • Watcharapong Ruankham Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University

Keywords:

mental health problems, elderly caregiver, elderly with chronic diseases

Abstract

This research aims to study the mental health problems and factors related to the mental health problems of caregivers for elderly with chronic illnesses in Chiang Rai province. The sample group consists of 400 caregivers of elderly with chronic illnesses. The research tools used include personal factor questionnaires, stress assessment forms, anxiety assessment forms, and depression assessment forms. Data was collected from March to October 2022 and analyzed using statistical analysis, including frequencies and percentages. Factors related to mental health issues were analyzed using Chi-square analysis at a significance level of .05.

The research results show that the majority of the sample group is female (74.5%), with an average age of 45.2 years. Most fall within the 40-49 age range (49.0%), and an education at the high school level (37.0%). About 65.5% are married, and 53.0% have sufficient income but no savings. Furthermore, 77.7% have good family relationships, and 47.0% care for an elderly relative who is either parents. Approximately 50.2% experience low levels of stress, 54.5% have low levels of anxiety, and 32.5% have low levels of depression. Regarding the analysis of relationships, it was found that gender is significantly related to all three aspects of mental health (stress, anxiety, and depression) at a significance level of 0.05 (gif.latex?\chi2 = 17.634 p-value = 0.001, gif.latex?\chi2 = 9.234 p-value = 0.029, and gif.latex?\chi2 = 12.594 p-value = 0.001). Income sufficiency and family relationships are also significantly related to stress at a significance level of 0.05 (gif.latex?\chi2 = 9.372 p-value = 0.030, and gif.latex?\chi2 = 8.919          p-value = 0.038).

From this study, it is evident that the mental health of caregivers for elderly with chronic illnesses is a significant issue, encompassing stress, anxiety, and depression. Public sector organizations, such as local health promotion hospitals and community health volunteers, must play a role in addressing the mental health of caregivers for elderly with chronic illnesses.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development institute (TGRI). Situation of the Thai older persons 2021. Nakhon Pathom: Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University; 2022. (in Thai)

The Bureau of Registration Administration (BORA). Population statistics by province, December 2022 [internet]. 2023 [cited 2023 June 10]. Available from: https://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/StatMIS/#/ReportStat/3 (in Thai)

Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health. Guidelines for psychological social care of the elderly to prevent mental health problems. 4th ed. Nonthaburi: Agricultural Cooperative Federation of Thailand Limited; 2015. (in Thai)

Kitreerawutiwong N. Chronic illness care in primary care. J Pub Health Nurse 2016;30(1):113-26.

Strategy and planning division, Ministry of Public Health. Standard report of Ministry of Public Health [internet]. 2023 [cited 2023 June 10]. Available from: https://hdcservice.moph.go.th/hdc/main/index.php (in Thai)

Supaporn K. Caregiver burden and mental health problems among the caregivers of the elderly at home-based palliative stage. KJN 2020;27(1):150-61. (in Thai)

Aggar C. Issues caring burden. Australian Nursing Journal 2012;20(5):35.

Gray R., Thepsuwan S., Thongcharoenchupong N., Poomsaithong P. Elderly care: happiness and stress. 1st ed. Nakhon Pathom: Institute for Population and Social Research. Mahidol University; 2013. (in Thai)

Roscoe JT. Fundamental research statistics for the behavioral sciences. New York: Holt Rinehart and Winston, Inc; 1969.

Mahatnirunkul S, Pumpisalchai W, Thapanya P. The construction of Suan Prung Stress Test for Thai Population. Bulletin of Suan Prung 1997;13(3):1-20. (in Thai)

Spielberger CD. Manual for the State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory: STAI (form Y). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press; 1983.

Tapinta D. Reduction of anxiety of staff nurses working with AIDS patients through cognitive reconstructuring and mindfulness training. [Thesis]. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University; 1991. (in Thai)

Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health. Guidebook of depressive disorders surveillance and care : provincial level (revised edition III; 2014); 2014. (in Thai)

McMillan SC, Small BJ. Using the cope intervention for family caregivers to improve symptoms of hospice homecare patients: a clinical trial. Oncol. Nurs. Forum 2007;34:313-21.

Sanderson C, Lobb EA, Mowll J, Butow PN, McGowan N, Price MA. Signs of post-traumatic stress disorder in caregivers following an expected death: a qualitative study. Palliat. Med. 2013;27(7):625-31.

Yongpattanajit S, MonKong S, Sutti N. Caregivers’ stress and coping with stress from caring for terminally Ill patients in a palliative care unit. JTNMC 2020;35(2):117-31. (in Thai)

Yoosamran K, Chanaphant S, Keankarn P. Stress and stress-coping of caregivers for dependent older adults, Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. RHPC9Journal 2022;16(1):1-16. (in Thai)

Tabsee P. The factors affect to anxiety among caregivers of terminally Ill patients with chronic disease. JPCN 2019;2(3):1-16. (in Thai)

Juan CAL, Elizabeth N, Teresita VC, Alison D, Miriam JM, Maria LMC. Health–related quality of life in caregivers of individuals with traumatic brain injury from Guadalajara, Mexico. J Rehabi Med 2011;43:983–6.

Spielberger CD. Anxiety as an emotional state. in Spielberger CD (Ed.). Anxiety: current trends in theory and research. New York: Academic Press; 1972.

Khongsaman P, Kespichayawattana J, Chimluang J. Factors related to death anxiety among family caregivers of advanced cancer patients. KJN 2020;27(1):85-97. (in Thai)

Chansungnoen J, Maneechote P, Sawatdee D. Anxiety in caregiver of patients with traumatic brain injury. J.SCT 2017;10(1):71-8. (in Thai)

Jaikhamsuep R, Wanaratwichit C. Psychological well-being among caregivers of end of life cancer patients: from concept to practice. BCNUT J Nurs. 2019;11(1):213-23. (in Thai)

Chaichana K. Depression among family caregivers of long-term care patients in Khuntan district, Chiang Rai, Thailand. CMJ 2020;12(2):68-86. (in Thai)

Thaneerat T, Panitangkool Y, Doungyota T, Tooreerach U, Kimsao P. Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and associated factors in caregivers of geriatric psychiatric patients. J Psychiatr Assoc Thailand 2016;61(4):319-30. (in Thai)

Chayawatto C. Depression in the caregivers of Stroke patients. Region 4-5 Medical Journal 2016;35(1):14-27. (in Thai)

Downloads

Published

2023-12-26

How to Cite

1.
Muangmool J, Jitkham P, Boonjit A, Somkamlang N, Winyangkul P, Ruankham W. Mental health problems among caregivers of the elderly with chronic illnesses, Chiang Rai Province. Journal of Health Sciences and Wellness [Internet]. 2023 Dec. 26 [cited 2024 Dec. 4];27(2):274-9. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/HCUJOURNAL/article/view/264190

Issue

Section

Research article