This is a descriptive research design, with the use of a convenience sample of 130 dyads. Consenting patients identified their primary family caregiver who was asked to participate in the study.
The majority of the caregivers employed emotionally focused ways of coping with the caregiving burden such as: 鈥淚 was hoping for a miracle鈥?(mean 2.19), 鈥淚 was hoping that time would change things and simply waited鈥?(mean 2.14) and 鈥淚 found consolidation in my faith to God鈥?(mean 2.05). Assertive ways of coping such as 鈥淚 expressed my anger to the patient鈥?(mean 0.78) and 鈥淚 dared to do something risky鈥?(mean 0.98) were less likely to be used by the caregivers.
Findings are consistent with those of previous research that informal caregivers experience substantial psychological morbidity in the form of depression in addition to caregiver burden when they assume the role of the informal caregiver. Caregivers employ various strategies in order to cope with the strains associated with the complex physical and emotional demands involved in caring.