DETERMINANTS OF OVERLOAD AND EMOTIONAL DISCOMFORT IN CAREGIVERS OF ELDERLY WITH FUNCTIONAL ABILITY IMPAIRMENT

Abstract

Objective: identify the determinants for overload and emotional discomfort in caregivers of elderly with functional ability impairment. Materials and methods: it´s a sectional study made in Family Health Units in the municipality of Jequié/BA. The sample consisted of 40 caregivers of elderly with functional ability impairment. The instrument consisted of social-demographic information, health conditions, Zarit Overload Scale and the Self Reporting Questionnaire. The data was analized by decriptive analysis, tests of the Chi-square and Mann Whitney with p<0,05. Results: a significant statistic difference was established between factor 1 with not having received information about the illness (p=0,029) and the scholar level referring to iliteracy (p=0,005); between factor 2 with not having received information about the illness (p=0,038), with being the main caregiver (p=0,014) and civil status as separated, under separation or divorced (p=0,011); and between factor 4 with not having received information about the illness (p=0,037) and civil status as separated, under separation and divorced. Conclusions: the overload and emotional discomfort in caregivers of elderly with impairment of functional abilities suffer influence from variables like not having received information about the illness, scholar level referring to iliteracy, civil status as separated, under separation or divorced and being the main caregiver.