Article

Identify factors of informal caregivers, caregiving, and people with
multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving assistance that are associated with perceptions
of caregiver accomplishment. METHODS: National data were collected in a telephone
interview survey of 530 informal caregivers and analyzed using an ordered
logistic regression model to identify factors associated with perceptions of
caregiver accomplishment among 442 of these informal caregivers (caregivers
providing all data in their survey responses needed for the regression model).
Results: We found that age of the person with MS and duration of caregiving
measured by the number of hours per week the caregiver assisted the person with
MS were significantly linked to positive perceptions of accomplishment.
Conversely, the caregiver's perception that assisting the person with MS was
emotionally draining, a spousal relationship, and caregiver education levels were
significantly associated with negative perceptions of accomplishment.
CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals treating people with MS and their caregivers
should be sensitive to the impact caregiving has on the emotional needs of
caregivers and to the unique support needs of spousal caregivers. Health
practitioners also should be sensitive to the variety of benefit-finding themes
expressed by caregivers to facilitate the caregivers' efforts to discover gains
in their experiences assisting people with MS, such as perceptions that
caregiving provides a sense of accomplishment.

Langue : ANGLAIS