Stress, depression and suicidal ideation amongst family members caring for a patient with brain injury.
Loading...
Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Background
This study investigated the relationship between stress, depression, ill health and suicidal
ideation in family members caring for a patient with acquired brain injury. The sample consisted
of 80 family caregivers who are members of Headway Gauteng (the brain injury association)
located in Johannesburg and Soweto, South Africa. Most were primary caregivers (72.5%) with
secondary caregivers making up a smaller percentage (27.5%), their role being to assist and
support the primary caregiver.
Method and materials
The study involved a mixed methodology that incorporated a cross-sectional descriptive and
phenomenological approach. This included self-report procedures (structured questionnaires and
interviews), post-interview content analyses and three individually administered standardized
measures (The Stress Symptom Checklist, The Beck Depression Inventory and Beck’s
Hopelessness Scale). Scores were non-normally distributed. Therefore, nonparametric statistical
tests were used, including the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann Whitney and Chi-Square Tests with a
significance level of p = 0.05.
Results
The results revealed significant levels of stress, depression, ill health and suicidal ideation in the
research participants. Suicidal ideation increased with elevating stress levels and 62.5% (50) of
the sample had received a medical and/or psychological diagnosis after they became a caregiver.
Five themes were identified as causing the caregivers’ profound stress that highlighted a lack of
caregiver support, preparation, referral and education regarding their relative’s acquired brain
injury and the stress they experience due to caregiver burden. Most participants (78.7%) did not
feel adequately prepared by healthcare professionals (during the acute and sub-acute hospital
treatment) for the neuropsychological deficits caused by the acquired brain injury, resulting in
reduced coping and family conflict once the patient started receiving home-based care.
Predominantly the family caregivers identified the patients’ neuropsychological deficits, such as
affect, cognitive ability, behaviour, personality, executive function, and social factors as causing
them profound stress.
Conclusions
This study underscored a significant prevalence of depression, ill health and stress-related
suicidal ideation in family members caring for patients with acquired brain injury. Early
identification of these problems and referral for appropriate treatment are recommended, along
with the need to alert professional healthcare workers to the value of psychological screening
for elevated stress and poor coping in family caregivers. Additionally, a collaborative effort
between medical and psychological healthcare practitioners is recommended.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.