Caregiver Strain in schizophrenic patients: A Concept Analysis

Abstract

Purpose:

     to provide precise operational defi­nitions, refine ambiguous concepts within a theory, and provide a more basic and deeper understanding of underlying caregiver strain in schizophrenic patients.

Methods:

     Eight steps process for identified caregiver strain by Walker and Avant, are conducted: (a) select a concept, (b) determine the purpose of the analysis, (c) identify all uses of the concept, (d) determine the defining attributes, (e) construct a model case, (f) identify antecedents, (g) identify consequences, and (h) define empirical referents. The researcher used PubMed, EBSCO, PROQUEST, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library and Springer Link to find the relevant articles related to Caregiver strain. The search term strategy used in this review included “caregiver” “strain” “caregiver strain”.

Result:

     caregiver strain is distress condition while caregiver provides care in family that affected disease. This stressed condition including physical, mental and psychosocial and even economical condition. This stressed condition emerged feeling or perception being overwhelmed by difficulties in performing the role of a care provider. This condition defined as caregiver’s sensory-perceptual reaction to the circumstances of giving care to a person in need of help demands, responsibilities, difficulties, and negative consequences of caring for patient.

Conclusion:

     Caregivers need to be educated about the illness to keep things in perspective rather than seeking care at inappropriate healing locations for their relatives. There is a need for clinical interventions for family caregivers experiencing some forms of distress for the purpose of improving their quality of life, public understanding of the illness will help to reduce the strain caregivers face as they may have the opportunity to freely express their problems and worries to social support outlets that are available to them.