Perceived Stress Levels and Influencing Factors of Stress in Family Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Özet

Objectives: This study aims to measure the perceived stress level of family caregivers of patients in palliative care units, and to reveal the socio-cultural and health-related characteristics that might affect their perceived stress. Methods: The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of family members who had taken care of their patients who were hospitalized in palliative care units between March 1, 2018, and June 1, 2018. A socio- demographic questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14) was applied face-to-face to all participants. Moreover, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) was applied to all participants. Results: Seventy-five family caregivers attended to the study. Twenty-two (34.7%) of family caregivers were patients’ children. Fifty-seven (75.0%) of family caregivers struggled with problems during care processes. Fif- teen (19.5%) participants gave positive responses to both questions of the PHQ-2. The number of family care- givers who had chronic diseases was 49 (64.5%). The mean score of PSS-14 was 46.9±5.7. Conclusion: Difficulties in the management of care processes may have increased perceived stress levels and may adversely affect the caregivers' health and social life. Providing early psychological support to family care- givers by health professionals may help to reduce perceived stress.