The needs of family caregivers of people with depression: a systematic literature review

• Main Author: Maria de Fátima dos Santos Rosado Marques
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad de Alicante 2012-06-01
• Series: Cultura de los Cuidados
• Online Access: https://culturacuidados.ua.es/article/view/2009-n25-as-necessidades-dos-cuidadores-familiares-da-pessoa-com-depressao-uma-revisao-sistematica-da-literatura

The depression assumes strong incidence and prevalence situating in fourth place between all the illnesses. One expects that the family assumes an important role in the cares assuming the partner condition. But what needs the family to feel partner in the process of cares? How lives the family the role of caregiver? Which his needs? It's necessary to know them so that the nurses can help the families to take care of his depressed relative. Objective: to identify the needs of family caregivers of the person with depression. Methods: the searches were conducted via EBSCO and via B-ON, in 13 electronics databases during the month of May 2007. Criteria of inclusion and exclusion of the primary studies and the descriptors had been defined to use in the research. 612 studies had been found. By applying the criteria, remaining 3 studies on which the analysis was done. Results: The caregivers are not prepared for the impact that depression has in the family, work and social life. The changes and adjustments required for the role of caregiver and the unfamiliarity of the progress and prognosis of the disease, generating dissatisfaction and insecurity. The role of caregiver is a lonely experience, with poor relationships and loss of intimacy. The family caregivers want the health professionals who listen, understand and take seriously their needs. They needs information about the development of depression, training of communication skills and to understand the importance of antidepressants in controlling the disease. They want to be heard and considered in the management of the referring decisions to its familiar.