The Effect of Altruistic Behaviors on Psychological Resilience and Care Burden in Caregivers

Authors : Ayşegül Özge Şen, Ezgi Karadağ

Pages : 58-69

Doi:10.53394/akd.1116494

View : 27 | Download : 53

Publication Date : 2024-01-01

Article Type : Other Papers

Abstract :Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the predictive effect of altruistic behaviors on psychological resilience and care burden in caregivers of cancer patients. Matherials and Methods: The study consisted of 194 caregivers of 194 patients with cancer who were treated at the Hematology-Oncology Service, Day Treatment Center and General Surgery Service of Dokuz Eylül University Hospital. The study data were collected by using four data collection tools, namely Patient and Caregiver Information Form, Altruism Scale, Resilience Scale for Adults, and Clinically Adapted Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. The mean score of caregivers was 74.96±12.02 on the total Altruism Scale, 129.86±23.72 on the total Resilience Scale for Adults and 30.20±13.05 on the total Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. Results: A statistically significant and positive correlation was found between caregivers’ scores on the altruism scale and resilience scale (p<0.01). The increase in altruistic behavior scores increased the resilience score (p<0.05). It was found that 24.1% of the variance in the level of caregivers’ resilience was caused by the variance in the level of their altruistic behavior. A statistically significant and negative correlation was found between caregivers\' scores on the Altruism Scale and the Zarit Care Burden Scale (p<0.01). An increase in altruistic behavior scores caused a decrease in the level of caregiver burden (p<0.05). It was determined that 13.2% of the variance in the level of caregivers’ care burden was caused by the variance in their altruistic behavior. Conclusion: It was concluded that altruistic behaviors in caregivers of patients with cancer increased psychological resilience and reduced the burden of care. Nurses can take on an active role in increasing altruistic behavior that has an important role in the provision of effective care by caregivers.
Keywords : bakım vericiler, özgecilik, psikolojik dayanıklılık, bakım yükü