ความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างมุมมองทางบวกในการดูแล ภาระการดูแล และการเผชิญความเครียดของผู้ดูแลผู้ป่วยทางจิตในชุมชน

Nisakorn Pothimas; Sangduan Apiratanawong; Worawan Tipwareerom

Authors

Nisakorn Pothimas Faculty of Nursing, Naresuan University
Sangduan Apiratanawong Faculty of Nursing, Naresuan University
Worawan Tipwareerom Faculty of Nursing, Naresuan University

Keywords:

positive aspects of caregiving, burden of care, coping with stress, caregivers of persons with mental illness

Abstract

Introduction: Providing long-term care for individuals with mental illness can place a significant burden on caregivers, leading to stress, reduced motivation, and difficulties in effectively supporting those with the illness. As a result, caregivers may develop a negative attitude toward their caregiving role.

Research objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationships among aspects of caregiving, burden of care and coping with stress among caregivers of individuals with mental illness in the community settings.

Research methodology: This study employed a correlation research design. A total of 123 caregivers were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using four instruments, including a demographic data questionnaire, the Positive Aspects of Caregiving Questionnaires, a 12-item Zarit Burden Interview, and a copig with stress questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient.

Results: All participants reported a moderate level of coping with stress. Of these, 58.50% perceived a moderate level of care burden, and 91.90% reported high positive aspects of caregiving. A weak positive correlation was found between the burden of care and positive aspects of caregiving (r = .20, p <.05). Coping with stress was negatively and significantly correlated with the burden of care (r = -.42, p <.01). No correlation was observed between positive aspects of caregiving and coping with stress (r = -.13, p = .15).

Conclusion: Caregivers of individuals with mental illness reported a high level of positive aspects of caregiving. Nonetheless, the burden of care was associated with these aspects, and it was negatively correlated with coping with stress.

Implication: This study suggests developing a program aimed at enhancing coping skills among caregivers of individuals with mental illness to foster resilience in caregiving and, in turn, promote the positive aspects of caregiving.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Department Of Mental Health. The manual of caring system for patients with serious mental illness with high risk to violence (smi-v) for institutions/hospitals under the Department Of Mental Health. Bangkok: Prosperous Plus; 2020. (in Thai)

Janardhana N, Raghunandan S, Naidu DM, Saraswathi L, Seshan V. Care giving of people with severe mental illness: an Indian experience. Indian Journal Of Psychological Medicine 2015;37(2):184-94.

Cham CQ, Ibrahim N, Siau CS, Kalaman CR, Ho MC, Yahya AN, et al. Caregiver burden among caregivers of patients with mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2022;10(12):2-16.

Thakur V, Nagarajan P, Rajkumar RP. Coping and burden among caregivers of patients with major mental illness. Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry 2022;38(1):63-8.

Udoh EE, Omorere DE, Sunday O, Osasu OS, Amoo BA. Psychological distress and burden of care among family caregivers of patients with mental illness in a neuropsychiatric outpatient clinic in Nigeria. PLoS ONE 2021;16(5):1-16.

Jamman S, Vongsirimas N, Thanoi W. Effectiveness of a stress management program on the psychological well-being in caregivers of schizophrenic patients in community. The Journal of Psychiatric Nursing And Mental Health 2020;34(3):62-76. (in Thai)

Janah M, Hargiana G. Levels of stress and coping strategies in family caregivers who treat schizophrenic patients with risk of violent behavior. Journal of Public Health Research 2021;10(s1): 2404.

Lawang W, Sunsern R. Positive aspect of caregiving: crucial concepts enhancing family caregivers’ strength. Journal of Nursing And Education 2016;9(3):1-9. (in Thai)

Phoomphit C, Panuthai S, Thamdee D. Care ability, positive aspects of caregiving and quality of care for dependent older persons. Nursing Journal 2021;48(3):226-36. (in Thai)

Pankong O, Pothiban L. Concept of positive aspects of caregiving: adapted in caregivers of older person with dementia. Nursing Journal 2021;45(1):159-70. (in Thai)

Pankong O, Yotkhamlue K, Sumridpeam P. Effects of a positive caring aspect enhancement program on positive caring aspects and Well-Being among caregivers of older persons with chronic disease. Nursing Journal CMU 2024;51(1):86-97. (in Thai)

Naresuan University Hospital. Medical record data 2022-2024. Hospital Secretary Department, Naresuan University Hospital; 2025. (in Thai)

Zarit SH. Diagnosis and management of caregiver burden in dementia. Handbook Of Clinical Neurology 2008;89:101-6.

Lazarus RS, Folkman S. Stress, appraisal and coping. New York: Springer; 1984.

Rathachatranon W. Determining an appropriate sample size for social science research: the myth of using Taro Yamane and Krejcie & Morgan method. Journal of Interdisciplinary Research: Graduate Studies 2019;8(1):11-28. (in Thai)

Grove SK, Burn N, Gray JC. The practice of nursing research: appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence. 7th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Saunders; 2013.

Pankong O. Effectiveness of a program for enhancing positive aspects of caregiving among caregivers of older persons with dementia [doctoral’s thesis]. Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai University; 2016

Silpakit O, Silpakit C, Chomchuen R. Psychometric study of the Thai version of Zarit Burden Interview in psychiatric caregivers. Journal Of Mental Health of Thailand. 2015;23(1):12-23. (in Thai)

Wangkhoklang S. Study of relationship between stress and coping of public health undergraduate students in faculty of public health and health technology at Nakhonratchasima College [master’s thesis]. Bangkok: Srinakharinwirot University; 2011 (in Thai)

Junpanit A, Lawang W, Toonsiri C. Factors influencing the positive aspects of caregiving among stroke family caregivers. Journal of Nursing And Education 2018;11(2)61-73. (in Thai)

Peng MM, Ma Z, Ran MS. Family caregiving and chronic illness management in schizophrenia: positive and negative aspects of caregiving. BMC Psychology 2022;10(83):1-12.

Suryani, Ningsih, EW, Nur’aeni A. Knowledge, perception, and burden of family in treating patients with schizophrenia who experience relapse. Belitung Nursing Journal 2019;5(4):162-8.

Grover S, Nehra R, Malhotra R, Kate N. Positive aspects of caregiving experience among caregivers of patients with dementia. East Asian archives of psychiatry 2017;27(2):71-8.

Rahmani F, Ranjbar F, Hosseinzadeh M, Razavi SS, Dickens GL, Vahidi M. Coping strategies of family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Iran: a cross-sectional survey. International Journal of Nursing Sciences 2019;6(2):148-53.

Kamarulbahri TMST, Ariaratnam S, Nikmat AW, Abdullah NN, Khing TL. Coping strategies and their associated factors among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Kuantan, Malaysia. Frontiers In Psychiatry 2022;13:1-12.

National Health Security Office. The manual for caring patients with chronic mental illness in the community for primary health care providers. Bangkok: Sangjankanpim; 2016. (in Thai)

Liu YE, Cao G, Li TX, Xi SJ, Yu Y. Caregiving burden and positive aspects of caregiving among family caregivers of people living with schizophrenia: two sides of the same coin. Applied Nursing Research 2022;67:151619.

Saritha G, Fatima SN, Sreevaram DM, Anil V. Burden and coping strategies among caregivers of schizophrenia patients: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Medicine And Public Health 2024;14(3):839-45.

Folkman S, Lazarus RS, Gruen RJ, DeLongis A. Appraisal, coping, health status, and psychological symptoms. Journal of Personality And Social Psychology 1986;50(3):571-9.

Abbaslou T, Farsham A, Bidaki R, Bozorg B. The relationship between coping styles and family burden in chronic schizophrenic and bipolar type I patients’ caregivers. The Egyptian Journal of Neurology Psychiatry And Neurosurgery 2023;59(7):1-6.