Overload and burnout among aged informal caregivers

Abstract

Objective: To explore the personal conditions associated with work overload and the Syndrome of Burnout among aged informal caregivers.

Method: Correlational and transversal study using by-convenience not-probabilistic sampling. Sample: 52 aged informal caregivers of both sexes. A personal data form, the Zarit scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire were all used. Data were processed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.

Results: The care providers average age was 44 years old, 58% reported being married, 50% said they had a mid-high level education, 45% were sons of the elderly (35% were daughters), 27% said they worked as professionals, 73% stated they had a 1- 6 year-experience taking care of elders, 42% said that they usually devote between 6 and 15 hours daily to their care activities, and 58% turned out to be suffering from a work overload (r = .442, p=.001). A low Burnout Syndrome risk was found in all the corresponding dimensions: Emotional Fatigue 67%, Dehumanization 80%, and Personal Accomplishment 73%, though more than 20% of the respondents were shown to be suffering from the syndrome in at least one dimension.

Conclusions: Work overloads and the Burnout Syndrome among the aged family caregivers were found to be low. An important factor associated with the work overload and the Burnout Syndrome was the time per day devoted to the care. Based on the results, it is suggested to establish preventive training programs related to caring and aimed at the aged family caregivers with the objective of contributing to the wellbeing of these specific caregivers.