Date of Presentation

5-4-2023 12:00 AM

College

School of Osteopathic Medicine

Poster Abstract

There is a scarcity of literature regarding caretaker burnout in response to Covid-19, however one cross section survey study in Italy explored the perceived burden of caretakers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease during the pandemic.1 Maria G. Maggio et al showed that an increase in caregiver burden allowed for a deterioration in personal health conditions causing an increase in perceived stress levels. 1 Along with impaired management of stress and low quality of life, many caretakers were found to utilize avoidance strategies.1 However, the authors pointed out that the dysfunctional coping strategies did not affect stress levels and this study attempted to re-investigate that conclusion. In the current study, we aim to reproduce the results in NJ and to a broader population outside of caretakers with just Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the patient population in this study was broadened to include caretakers to children with developmental disabilities or any other chronic illnesses as inspired by Elizabeth Young et al.’s study on caregiver burnout in response to taking care of youth with autism and intellectual disabilities throughout Covid-19. Examples of heightened burden included reasons such as disrupted developmental trajectories and lack of external support as caretakers worked from home.3 Therefore, it is imperative that in our study we consider physical and socioeconomic determinants of burnout in addition to the mental toll. Caregiver burnout is seldom studied and current psychological studies regarding it describe it as a tridimensional syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. In a study such as ours, it is important to operationalize psychometric elements. Subject burden can be described as the psychological, emotional, socioeconomic consequences of caregiving. Here, it is important to distinguish burden from burnout. While burden is a subjective appraisal of the experience of helping, burnout is an outcome because of perceived stress which can influence various coping mechanisms.4 This relationship was further explored in this study.

Keywords

Caregiver Burden, Psychological Burnout, Psychological Stress, Chronic Condition, Health Status, Quality of Life, Psychological Adaptation

Disciplines

Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Medicine and Health Sciences | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry | Psychological Phenomena and Processes

Document Type

Poster

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May 4th, 12:00 AM

Caretaker Burnout in NJ in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study Focusing on Quality of Life, Challenges and Coping Strategies.

There is a scarcity of literature regarding caretaker burnout in response to Covid-19, however one cross section survey study in Italy explored the perceived burden of caretakers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease during the pandemic.1 Maria G. Maggio et al showed that an increase in caregiver burden allowed for a deterioration in personal health conditions causing an increase in perceived stress levels. 1 Along with impaired management of stress and low quality of life, many caretakers were found to utilize avoidance strategies.1 However, the authors pointed out that the dysfunctional coping strategies did not affect stress levels and this study attempted to re-investigate that conclusion. In the current study, we aim to reproduce the results in NJ and to a broader population outside of caretakers with just Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the patient population in this study was broadened to include caretakers to children with developmental disabilities or any other chronic illnesses as inspired by Elizabeth Young et al.’s study on caregiver burnout in response to taking care of youth with autism and intellectual disabilities throughout Covid-19. Examples of heightened burden included reasons such as disrupted developmental trajectories and lack of external support as caretakers worked from home.3 Therefore, it is imperative that in our study we consider physical and socioeconomic determinants of burnout in addition to the mental toll. Caregiver burnout is seldom studied and current psychological studies regarding it describe it as a tridimensional syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. In a study such as ours, it is important to operationalize psychometric elements. Subject burden can be described as the psychological, emotional, socioeconomic consequences of caregiving. Here, it is important to distinguish burden from burnout. While burden is a subjective appraisal of the experience of helping, burnout is an outcome because of perceived stress which can influence various coping mechanisms.4 This relationship was further explored in this study.

 

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