Abstract
Objective
To compare stress symptoms and coping strategies among caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer's disease according to sociodemographic, health, and professional variables.
Method
A cross-sectional study was conducted of 126 caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer's disease. A questionnaire assessing caregiver sociodemographic and health profiles, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Ways of Coping Scale were applied. Data analysis was performed using the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's post-hoc test (p<0.05).
Results
Women made greater use of the coping strategy of seeking social support (p=0.013). Caregivers with more than one care recipient made greater use of problem-focused coping strategies (p=0.020). Caregivers engaged in formal care exhibited higher levels of stress (p=0.015) and made less use of problem-focused coping strategies (p=0.020).
Conclusion
Sociodemographic, health, and professional profiles are factors mediating the stress coping strategies employed by caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer's disease.
Keywords
Caregivers; Aged; Coping; Dementia