PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG CAREGIVERS OF BURNS PATIENTS

ABSTRACT This study examined psychological health and coping strategies among caregivers of burns patients. A sample of 100 caregivers (50 formal and 50 informal) were recruited from the Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The study employed a cross-sectional survey method and the participants were administered the Brief COPE (Carver, 1997), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet & Farley, 1988), Beck Anxiety Inventory (Beck, Epstein, & Brown, 1988), Beck Depression Inventory(Beck, Ward, & Mendelson, 1961) and the WHOQOL-BREF (WHO,2004). Data was analysed using Independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and Hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results obtained from the analysis indicated that formal caregivers reported better quality of life as compared to informal caregivers. It was also observed that informal caregivers reported more anxiety and depressive symptoms as compared to formal caregivers. Further analysis revealed that as compared to informal caregivers, formal caregivers adopted more problem-focused strategies in dealing with stressors. However, there was no significant difference in their use of emotion-focused coping strategies. A significant positive relationship between social support and caregivers’ quality of life was also established. A significant negative relationship was established between social support and anxiety. Depression was also negatively related to social support. Problem-focused coping strategy correlated positively with caregivers’ quality of life. However, the predicted negative relationship between emotion-focused coping and quality of life was not supported. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis did not show any significant moderation effect of coping (emotion-focused and problem-focused) on the relationship between social support and quality of life. Majority of the findings are consistent with previous literature and the implications of these outcomes are discussed in relation to formal and informal caregiving and the health sector. It is concluded that the caregiving role (especially for those without formal training) could impact negatively on the psychological health of the caregiver. Use of effective coping strategies and strong social support could help lessen the negative impact of the caregiving role. Psychological services should be extended to caregivers to enable them perform their much needed roles to the optimum.