Academic literature on the topic 'Care-giver burnout'

BACKGROUND Autism is one of the most demanding types of disorders in terms of caregiver’s intervention. A significant amount of distress is always associated with a long term, pervasive intervention and attention given by the care giver. The above scenario leads to depression, adjustment disorder along with suicidal tendencies among the care givers leading to poor prognosis of the disease progress in children and emergence of stress related mental illness in the care givers. Pro-active assessment, diagnosis and management of the above among the care givers might be beneficial for both the child and the care giver along with other family members. METHODS This study was conducted in the special schools of Kancheepuram from December 2019 to February 2020. The cross-sectional study aimed to assess caregiver burden and the variations of burden with varying social and language development in parents of children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). A total of 60 parents whose children were diagnosed to have Autism Spectrum Disorders were assessed to scale the caregiver burden using Burden Assessment Schedule, and semi structured socio-demographic questionnaire. RESULTS Majority of the caregivers showed an impact on multiple areas of life. 59 % of the caregivers showed significant impact on wellbeing with 84 % feeling depressed and anxious. Lack of appreciation for care was seen in 85 % of the caregivers. Relationship with others was very much impacted in about 14 % of the caregivers. Perceived severity of illness was impacted in 53 % population. CONCLUSIONS Bringing up a child with an autism spectrum disorder is a significant chronic stressor sufficient to disrupt various areas of an adult life and also to cause mental illnesses. Early recognition and management of burden is of immense value in the wellbeing of the caregiver, more importantly in the prognosis of the child’s disorder. KEYWORDS Autism Spectrum Disorder, Caregiver Burden Assessment, Caregiver Burnout

Abstract Global data show a significant increase in the number of adults 65+ years of age in India. Despite this increase, there is a dearth of available resources to adequately service their mental health needs. Data indicate that residents in Northern India, in particular, report poorer mental health outcomes than those in the South. The prevalence and impact of neuropsychiatric disorders and depression remain particularly significant, but largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to examine possible psychosocial and health factors affecting depressive symptoms in North India. Data were taken from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI). Participants included adults aged 45 years and above (n=792), from the states of Rajasthan and Punjab. A multiple linear regression model was calculated to determine the influence of identified demographic and psychosocial factors (e.g., financial and social support, life satisfaction) on depressive symptoms. Data show that low life satisfaction (β= -0.19,p<0.001), poorer self-reported health (β=0.15,p<0.01), and being a care provider (β= -0.12,p<0.01) were significant predictors of depressive symptoms. These results indicate an increased need for care-giver mental health support along with policy aimed at awareness about caregiver burnout, health care access, and economic instrumental support services. A magnified view of the impact of life satisfaction on depression will be of immense value for understanding the unique needs and challenges of working with this population.

Abstract Introduction Support group for burn survivors is immensely beneficial for reintegration and normalization of the burn recovery. The corona virus pandemic, however, limited in-person interactions significantly and decreased the travel capabilities. Our regional burn center serves an 8-state region, and as such, our every other month in-person support group consisted of survivors and family members from a large geographic area. Methods Support group volunteers and staff members recognized the need for continued support of survivors during the pandemic. Limitations of large, in-person meetings were implemented by our host organization to comply with pandemic safety guidelines. Evaluation of resources available led to development of a virtually supported meeting space. Email addresses were gathered to schedule. This allowed for interaction of survivors from an unlimited geographic area. Results Support group survivor volunteers and staff met to develop parameters, topics, IT support and logistics. Every other month support group was converted to a monthly gathering virtually due to easier access by survivors. Attendees completed a survey to evaluate and make recommendations for opportunities for improvement. The same number of survivors were present for in person and virtual meetings. Conclusions During this pandemic, limitations were placed that further isolate survivors. A virtually based support group has allowed for more frequent interactions between volunteers and new survivors. Various topics were discussed including survivor preparedness for public reintegration, worker’s compensation and care giver burnout. Speakers from multiple disciplines have been able to address issues requested by survivors. In this format, we have been able to continue the support of our survivors as they continue to recover. Social distancing has isolated many people during the pandemic; virtual support group has been paramount in continuing to connect our survivor family.

In South Africa today only one in every three children lives with both of their biological parents. Most children not living with biological parents live with a grandparent. Vulnerable children are those whose basic needs for food, shelter, safety, protection, and education are not met or are insufficiently met. Many children who are orphaned are vulnerable, but vulnerability is not limited to orphans only. Children who live with their grandparents can be called vulnerable children as they suffer the loss of parental contact through death, illness, abandonment or migrant labour. Care-givers of vulnerable children face numerous challenges in their daily lives. Although the care of grandchildren by grandmothers is not unusual or new, the traditional network of financial and emotional support for this care-giving task has gradually fallen away over the years as parents are deceased, or too ill to work or have abandoned their children. This has left care-givers, many of whom are elderly and themselves vulnerable, with less resources and more financial and care-giving responsibility. Care-givers and the children for whom they care live in a wider context of poverty, unemployment, the HIV pandemic and crime in South Africa. Care-givers are at risk of burn-out due to the intensity of the challenges they face. Increasing resilience of care-givers serves to increase the positive outcomes for the vulnerable children in their care. The goal of this study was to explore whether participation in awareness-based Gestalt group work sessions would enhance the resilience of care-givers of vulnerable children. In the context of applied research, a mixed methods approach was used, specifically an embedded mixed methods approach. The study measured respondents‟ resilience before and after the implementation of a series of eight Gestalt group work sessions. A quasi-experimental research design, the comparison group pre-test-post-test design, was used for the quantitative part of the study and a case study design for the qualitative part. Quantitative data were collected through a structured interview using a pre-determined interview schedule based on theoretical constructs of resilience. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations and field notes. The respondents were 19 care-givers of vulnerable children from a semi-rural area in KwaZulu-Natal. They were selected through snowball sampling and were assigned into comparison and experimental groups through a simple random sampling method. The experimental group participated in the Gestalt group work sessions whilst the comparison group did not. Although the quantitative results showed no significant difference in the pre- and post-test results, the qualitative results confirmed that experimental group members experienced a positive effect upon their resilience through participating in the Gestalt group work. Conclusions drawn from the qualitative findings indicated that respondents had a high level of resilience present in their lives before the research began. The awareness-based Gestalt group work sessions had a positive impact upon aspects related to the resilience of care-givers of vulnerable children.
Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
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Social Work and Criminology
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