Stressors and Resources of Caregivers of Patients With Incurable Progressive Illness in Sub-Saharan Africa

Jocelyn Streid; Richard Harding; Godfrey Agupio; Natalya Dinat; Julia Downing; Liz Gwyther; Barbara Ikin; Thandi Mashao; Keletso Mmoledi; Anthony P Moll; Lydia Mpanga Sebuyira; Irene J Higginson; Lucy Selman

doi:10.1177/1049732314523682

Stressors and Resources of Caregivers of Patients With Incurable Progressive Illness in Sub-Saharan Africa

Jocelyn Streid, Richard Harding, Godfrey Agupio, Natalya Dinat, Julia Downing, Liz Gwyther, Barbara Ikin, Thandi Mashao, Keletso Mmoledi, Anthony P Moll, Lydia Mpanga Sebuyira, Irene J Higginson, Lucy Selman

Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation

King's College London

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Family caregivers are central to palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet although supporting caregivers requires a comprehensive understanding of caregiver burden, there has been little research into this topic in Africa. Using the Stress Process Model to investigate the burden experienced by caregivers in South Africa and Uganda, we interviewed 37 caregivers and analyzed the data thematically. Caregivers' primary stressors related to day-to-day patient care and emotional support; secondary stressors included financial hardship, family responsibilities, and social isolation. Caregivers' social, relational, spiritual, and psychological resources mediated the effects of these stressors. Strengthening one resource strengthened others, but the failure of one resource hindered other resources, exacerbating burden. In providing caregiver support, policymakers and service providers should focus on enhancing caregivers' resources as well as alleviating their stressors.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	317-328
Number of pages	12
Journal	Qualitative Health Research
Volume	24
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732314523682
Publication status	Published - Mar 2014

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Streid, J., Harding, R., Agupio, G., Dinat, N., Downing, J., Gwyther, L., Ikin, B., Mashao, T., Mmoledi, K., Moll, A. P., Sebuyira, L. M., Higginson, I. J., & Selman, L. (2014). Stressors and Resources of Caregivers of Patients With Incurable Progressive Illness in Sub-Saharan Africa. Qualitative Health Research, 24(3), 317-328. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732314523682

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AU - Gwyther, Liz

AU - Ikin, Barbara

AU - Mashao, Thandi

AU - Mmoledi, Keletso

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Stressors and Resources of Caregivers of Patients With Incurable Progressive Illness in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

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