Caregivers of Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses and Coping Strategies and Quality of Life: A Convergent Mixed Methods Study
Keywords:
Caregivers, Mixed-method designs, Quality of life, Coping strategies, Older adultsAbstract
Objectives: This study aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of coping strategies, quality of life (QoL), and its associated factors among caregivers of older adults with chronic illnesses. Methods: A convergent mixed methods approach was used. This study was conducted in a tertiary level hospital in Chanthaburi province, which is located in the eastern region of Thailand from February 1 to July 31, 2021. In total, 57 patient-caregiver dyads completed the Thai version of coping, and adaptation processing scale-short form (TCAPS-SF) to assess their coping strategies and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment in Thai (WHOQOL-BREF-Thai) to assess their quality of life were measured. A sample of 57 caregivers participated in semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and correlation analysis. Results: The caregivers' mean age was over 40 years. Correlation analysis showed that the coping strategies had a moderate association with quality of life (QoL) (r = 0.344, p <0.01). From qualitative findings, threatening coping factors (including avoidance state and alcohol drinking) and four enhancing coping factors (including community as assistance, self-encouraging activity, religious commitment, and positive perspective) were generated. The mixed analysis confirmed that coping strategies are associated with QoL. Conclusions: Caregivers of older adults with chronic conditions experience caregiving challenges resulting from their coping strategies that impact caregivers' QoL. Collaborative efforts are needed to create multifaceted interventions and programs to enhance caregivers' coping strategies as transitional care from hospital to home.
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