Caregiver burden in owners of a sick companion animal: a cross-sectional observational study

2017 ◽  
Vol 181 (12) ◽  
pp. 321-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Beth Spitznagel ◽  
Dana M Jacobson ◽  
Melanie D Cox ◽  
Mark D Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychosocial Function ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Future Work

Much recent work has focused on occupational stress in veterinary medicine, although little is known about the possible contribution of client-based factors. Clients providing care for a companion animal with protracted illness are likely to experience ‘caregiver burden’ and reduced psychosocial functioning, which may ultimately lead to increased veterinarian stress. This cross-sectional observational study assessed caregiver burden and psychosocial function in 238 owners of a dog or cat, comparing owners of an animal with chronic or terminal diseases (n=119) with healthy controls blindly matched for owner age/sex and animal species (n=119). Results showed greater burden, stress and symptoms of depression/anxiety, as well as poorer quality of life, in owners of companion animals with chronic or terminal disease (p<0.001 for all). Higher burden was correlated with reduced psychosocial function (p<0.001 for all). Owners of a sick companion animal exhibit elevated caregiver burden, which is linked to poorer psychosocial functioning. This knowledge may help veterinarians understand and more effectively handle client distress in the context of managing the challenges of sick companion animal caregiving. Future work is needed to determine whether clients with this presentation impact veterinarian stress and how burden in this population might be reduced.

scholarly journals The burden of care, quality of life and depression in relatives of patients with serious mental illness treated at Lentegeur Hospital

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sihle Nhlabathi ◽  
John Parker ◽  
Bonginkosi Chiliza ◽  
Lebogang Phahladira
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Burden Of Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression

Background: The association between caregiver burden, quality of life and depression in patients with mental illness in a resource-limited setting is underresearched. Factors associated with caregiver burden may be amenable to intervention.Aim: To describe the level of caregiver burden and its association with quality of life and depression.Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out in a psychiatric hospital in the Cape Flats, which is an urban area on the periphery of Cape Town. Data were collected from 104 caregivers of patients attending the outpatients service. Caregiver burden was measured using the Zarit Burden Interview questionnaire. The PHQ-9 questionnaire was to screen and measure severity of symptoms of depression. The WHOQOL-BREF was used to measure the subjective evaluation of the quality of life.Results: Most caregivers were female (76.92%), and caregivers were mild to moderately stressed (mean ZBS score 33.38 ± 21.59) and experienced moderate depression (mean PHQ-9 score). These effects were significantly associated with quality of life in psychological and social domains.Conclusion: Caring for patients with mental illness can lead to immense physical and psychological distress, leading to poor quality of life. Strategies that may reduce the burden of care may include improving the patients’ quality of life and addressing psychosocial support, and clinicians should consider screening for symptoms of depression in caregivers.

scholarly journals Relationship Satisfaction in People with Parkinson’s Disease and Their Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 822
Author(s):  
Johanne Heine ◽  
Hannah von Eichel ◽  
Selma Staege ◽  
Günter U. Höglinger ◽  
Florian Wegner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Cross Sectional

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, which leads to reduced health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and autonomy in advanced stages of the disease. Hence, people with PD (PwPD) are in need of help, which is often provided by informal caregivers, especially spouses. This might influence the relationship satisfaction in patients and their spousal caregivers. Additionally, previous studies have shown that a reduced relationship satisfaction may result in mental disorders and reduced physical health. The aim of this study is to identify factors influencing PwPD and their caregivers’ relationship satisfaction in a cross-sectional observational study. Analyses revealed an overall satisfying relationship, measured by the Quality of Marriage Index, in PwPD (n = 84) and their caregivers (n = 79). Relationship satisfaction in PwPD mildly decreased with reduced HR-QoL and more severe depressive symptoms. Reduced relationship satisfaction in caregivers was significantly associated with decreased HR-QoL, higher caregiver burden, more severe depressive symptoms and increased neuropsychiatric symptoms in PwPD. Further studies are needed to investigate the influence of the identified factors over time and if relationship satisfaction has a reciprocal impact on caregiver burden, HR-QoL as well as mental and physical health.

Understanding the Experiences of Elderly Bereaved Men and the Bond With Their Pets

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110048
Author(s):  
Monique C. Thompson, PsyD ◽  
Angela B. Kim, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
New Normal ◽  
Purposeful Sampling ◽  
Older Males

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the bereaved Older males’ experiences with the interaction and ownership of a companion animal after the death of their partner. The primary researcher recruited 13 participants via a criterion-based purposeful sampling method to assure the quality of the information collected. Results revealed six themes: (a) bonds with their pets grew stronger and closer after the loss of their wife; (b) men were able to express their grief to their pets; (c) companion animals helped the men psychologically during grief; (d) pets were influential during times when the wife’s presence would have been valuable; (e) companion animals helped men with loneliness and social connection; and (f) companion animals helped men find a new normal by providing a purpose and routine during bereavement. The pets proved to be a source of support for these widowed men.

scholarly journals The Perceived Impact of The First UK Covid-19 Lockdown on Companion Animal Welfare and Behaviour: A Mixed-Method Study of Associations with Owner Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6171
Author(s):  
Emily Shoesmith ◽  
Luciana Santos de Assis ◽  
Lion Shahab ◽  
Elena Ratschen ◽  
Paul Toner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Human Animal

Background: Companion animals may be a positive presence for their owners during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the welfare of a companion animal is strongly influenced by the behaviour of their owners, as well as their physical and social environment. We aimed to investigate the reported changes in companion animal welfare and behaviour and to examine the association between these changes and companion animal owners’ mental health. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of UK residents over 18 years of age was conducted between April and June 2020 (n = 5926). The questionnaire included validated, bespoke items measuring outcomes related to mental health, human-animal bonds and reported changes in animal welfare and behaviour. The final item of the survey invited open-ended free-text responses, allowing participants to describe experiences associated with human-animal relationships during the first UK lockdown phase. Results: Animal owners made up 89.8% of the sample (n = 5323), of whom 67.3% reported changes in their animal’s welfare and behaviour during the first lockdown phase (n = 3583). These reported changes were reduced to a positive (0–7) and negative (0–5) welfare scale, following principal component analysis (PCA) of 17 items. Participants reported more positive changes for cats, whereas more negative changes were reported for dogs. Thematic analysis identified three main themes relating to the positive and negative impact on companion animals of the Covid-19 pandemic. Generalised linear models indicated that companion animal owners with poorer mental health scores pre-lockdown reported fewer negative changes in animal welfare and behaviour. However, companion animal owners with poorer mental health scores since lockdown reported more changes, both positive and negative, in animal welfare and behaviour. Conclusion: Our findings extend previous insights into perceived welfare and behaviour changes on a very limited range of species to a wider a range of companion animals. Owner mental health status has a clear, albeit small, effect on companion animal welfare and behaviour.

COMPARING SOCIOEMOTIONAL COGNITION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN REMITTED BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER

2021 ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
Nimitha K J ◽  
Rajmohan V ◽  
T M Raghuram
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Bipolar Affective Disorder ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Cross Sectional

BACKGROUND-Bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) is characterized by abnormalities in social cognition and emotional regulation are detrimental to psychosocial functioning and quality of life. OBJECTIVES- To understand the sociodemographic background, clinical characteristics in BPAD in remission and its relation with social emotional cognition and its impact on quality of life and functioning of the patient. METHODS-A cross sectional study with a sample size of 100 consenting patients based on convenience sampling who are diagnosed to have BPAD in remission. Sociodemographic questionnaire and clinical details of the patient were noted. SECT (cog state battery) was applied to all patients under calm and similar environment. RESULTS-Results showed there is a signicant difference in SECTspeed, response and stimuli based on the nature of rst and last episode, SECT score based on severity of episodes, SECT speed and stimuli based on education, SECT responses based on occupation. Middle socio-economic group had the best psychological QoL followed by high socio-economic group and it was worst in low socio-economic group. Physical and psychological domain has signicant difference based on residence. WHO QoL social quality of life had signicant difference between ECT treatments in the past, with people receiving ECT having a higher score on the social QoLscore. There was no signicant correlation seen between SEC sub scores and QoLdomain scores. CONCLUSION-The study concluded the QoLwas signicantly associated with socio-economic status, semi urban residence and ECT. There was no correlation between SEC and QoLscore in remitted bipolar.

scholarly journals An observational study on quality of life and preferences to sustain life in locked-in state

Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (10) ◽  
pp. e938-e945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Kuzma-Kozakiewicz ◽  
Peter M. Andersen ◽  
Katarzyna Ciecwierska ◽  
Cynthia Vázquez ◽  
Olga Helczyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychosocial Adaptation ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hastened Death

ObjectiveThis is an observational study on well-being and end-of-life preferences in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the locked-in state (LIS) in a Polish sample within the EU Joint Programme–Neurodegenerative Disease Research study NEEDSinALS (NEEDSinALS.com).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, patients with ALS in LIS (n = 19) were interviewed on well-being (quality of life, depression) as a measure of psychosocial adaptation, coping mechanisms, and preferences towards life-sustaining treatments (ventilation, percutaneous endoscopic gastroscopy) and hastened death. Also, clinical data were recorded (ALS Functional Rating Scale–revised version). Standardized questionnaires (Anamnestic Comparative Self-Assessment [ACSA], Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life-Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW), ALS Depression Inventory–12 items [ADI-12], schedule of attitudes toward hastened death [SAHD], Motor Neuron Disease Coping Scale) were used, which were digitally transcribed; answers were provided via eye-tracking control. In addition, caregivers were asked to judge patients' well-being.ResultsThe majority of patients had an ACSA score >0 and a SEIQoL score >50% (indicating positive quality of life) and ADI-12 <29 (indicating no clinically relevant depression). Physical function did not reflect subjective well-being; even more, those with no residual physical function had a positive well-being. All patients would again choose the life-sustaining techniques they currently used and their wish for hastened death was low (SAHD <10). Caregivers significantly underestimated patient's well-being.InterpretationSome patients with ALS in LIS maintain a high sense of well-being despite severe physical restrictions. They are content with their life-sustaining treatments and have a strong will to live, which both may be underestimated by their families and public opinion.

Characterizing the symptom of misplacing objects in people with dementia: findings from an online tracking tool

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 1635-1641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa McGarrigle ◽  
Susan E. Howlett ◽  
Helen Wong ◽  
Justin Stanley ◽  
Kenneth Rockwood
Keyword(s):  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Severe Dementia ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Dementia Severity ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Important Symptom ◽  
Online Tracking ◽  
Important Therapeutic Target

ABSTRACTObjectives:Misplacing objects is often reported as a clinically important symptom in dementia. Here we explored misplacing objects in relation to dementia type and stage in an online sample of individuals with dementia and their caregivers.Methods:Participants were recruited from www.dementiaguide.com, a web-based tracker for common dementia symptoms. Users provided information about symptoms that they selected as important for monitoring. We analysed cross-sectional data from respondents who tracked at least three symptoms, which allowed for staging dementia severity.Results:Of 2,775 users with three-plus symptoms, 787 (28%) identified misplacing objects for symptom tracking. Misplacing objects was monitored by users across all stages of dementia, but was more prevalent in mild and severe dementia. Three common clinical subtypes of misplacing were investigated: lost & found (forgetting the location of items), hidden away (hiding items so others would not find them), and odd places (putting items in usual spots). Of the 787, 96% targeted lost & found, the most frequent type. Odd places (targeted in 56%) significantly increased with dementia severity (p < 0.001). Misplacing objects was most strongly associated with the symptoms of interaction with strangers (OR 4.60, 95% CI: 3.20-6.62), reading (3.68: 2.86-4.73), shopping (3.55: 2.73-4.61) and travel/vacationing (3.31: 2.54-4.31).Conclusions:Misplacing objects was most often selected for tracking in mild and severe stages of dementia. As disease advances, misplacing more often reflects odd placement of objects rather than their simple loss. Misplacing objects may be a clinically important therapeutic target for improving patients’ quality of life and lessening caregiver burden.

Facial emotion recognition and its relationship to symptomatic, subjective, and functional outcomes in outpatients with chronic schizophrenia

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Hofer ◽  
Cord Benecke ◽  
Monika Edlinger ◽  
Regina Huber ◽  
Georg Kemmler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Affect Recognition ◽  
Global Functioning ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Affective Symptoms ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractOutcome in schizophrenia is multidimensional and consists of clinical and psychosocial domains. Difficulties in affect recognition are a hallmark of schizophrenia, but there is little research investigating the consequences of this deficit on patients’ psychosocial status. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship of facial affect recognition and treatment outcomes in terms of psychopathology, quality of life (QOL), and psychosocial functioning.We investigated 40 regular attendees of a specialized schizophrenia outpatient clinic who had been stable both from a symptomatic and a medication perspective for a minimum of 6 months and 40 healthy volunteers who were chosen to match patients in age, sex, and education. Affect recognition was positively associated with patients’ level of education and negatively with increasing age. Deficits in this area corresponded to the severity of negative and affective symptoms as well as to poor work and global functioning. These findings suggest that affect recognition is an important aspect of psychosocial functioning in stable outpatients with schizophrenia.

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