However, various authors (e.g.: ) have observed that the management of stress by coping increases the quality of life.
Bass and Folkman pointed out that coping strategies alone are not effective against caregiver stress, and that the response will depend on the nature of stressors.
, both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping, although conceptually distinct, can reduce psychological distress and are both used in most stressful episodes. The effectiveness of different strategies is controversial. In stressful situations, the objective of a coping strategy is to solve the problem or regulate the emotional response.
Both approach and avoidance coping can be classified as either behavioral or cognitive. Approach coping includes attempts to reappraise, modify, and solve problems, while avoidance coping is related to attempts to avoid problems and engage in indirect attempts to reduce distress. Problem-focused coping is oriented toward resolving challenges, while emotion-focused coping is geared to managing emotions. Thus, authors have distinguished between emotion-focused and problem-focused coping or between active or approach and passive or avoidance coping. In this model, coping strategies have a modulating function that allows the recording of different individual responses to the same care situation.Ĭoping, defined as cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage demands perceived as taxing or exceeding the resources of an individual, has been classified according to various criteria. In their multidimensional Stress Process Model, Pearlin, Mullan, Semple, & Skaff categorized four types of variables that affect the well-being and quality of life of the caregivers: contextual variables, primary objective stressors, secondary stressors, and modulating variables. However, the response of caregivers can be positive or negative depending on various factors, such as the coping strategies of caregivers. The burden of caring for a dependent person can impair the physical and mental health of the caregiver. The family member taking on this responsibility must adapt to a new challenge and, as affirmed by Lazarus & Folkman, stress can result from situations perceived by the individual as potentially overwhelming and a threat to their well-being and quality of life. It can have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the caregiver, which has been attributed to stress. Conclusionsġ) it is important to consider coping strategies in the assessment of primary caregivers of dependent elderly relatives 2) the quality of life of caregivers is related to their coping strategies, 3) their quality of life can be worsened by avoidance-type coping, and 4) their quality of life can be improved by active emotion-focused coping and socially-supported coping.Ĭare of the dependent elderly by relatives is increasingly frequent with the aging of populations and represents the main care resource. The physical and relational dimensions of quality of life were not related to coping strategies. ResultsĪfter controlling for potential confounders, dysfunctional coping was related to worse quality of life in the psychological dimension, while emotion-focused and socially-supported coping were related to superior psychological and environmental dimensions of quality of life. Correlation coefficients were calculated and multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Predictive variables were coping strategies (problem-focused, emotion-focused, socially-supported, and dysfunctional) dependent variables were quality of life dimensions (psychological, physical, relational, and environmental) and potential confounding variables were age, gender, perceived health and burden of caregiver, and functional capacity of care receiver. MethodsĪ cross-sectional study was conducted from 86 caregivers.
Thus, this study aims to analyze the relationship between coping strategies and quality of life dimensions in primary caregivers of dependent elderly relatives. Despite the importance of coping in caregiving, there are few studies on the relationship between coping and quality of life in caregivers of the frail dependent elderly.