Needs, Aggravation, and Degree of Burnout in Informal Caregivers of Patients with Chronic Cardiovascular Disease

• Main Authors: Elżbieta Szlenk-Czyczerska, Marika Guzek, Dorota Emilia Bielska, Anna Ławnik, Piotr Polański, Donata Kurpas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: informal caregivers; met and unmet needs; growing burnout
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/17/6427
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

This study aimed to answer three main questions with respect to home caregivers for people with cardiovascular disease: (1) Are the needs of home caregivers being met (and at what level)?; (2) what is the level of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment of home caregivers?; (3) what sociodemographic variables of home caregivers are related to unmet needs and level of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment? The study used the Camberwell Modified Needs Assessment questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire. This study reports on 161 informal home caregivers of patients with cardiovascular disease. We found that younger caregivers were less likely to report unmet needs (<i>p</i> = 0.011), and showed lower rates of burnout on depersonalization and emotional exhaustion. In addition, caregivers who worked more often reported higher levels of met needs (<i>p</i> = 0.022), and showed lower rates of burnout on depersonalization (<i>p</i> = 0.005) and emotional exhaustion (<i>p</i> = 0.018). Subjects residing in urban areas were more likely to report unmet needs (<i>p</i> = 0.007), and showed higher rates of burnout on emotional exhaustion (<i>p</i> = 0.006). Older caregivers who are unemployed and reside in cities should be offered programs to determine their unmet needs and to receive support.