[Emotional consequences of providing care to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients].
OBJECTIVE
This study describes the emotional and personal consequences of providing care to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients.


METHODS
Six caregivers aged from 23 to 67 years old (mean age: 38.2 +/- 15.6), weight interviewed. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAS) and the OARS Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire were applied. The subjects were interviewed with semi-structured questions about medical information, caregiver burden, coping, social support, impact on his/her health, stressor and religious resources. In order to be included in the research, the subject had to be an ALS patient caregiver. Every interview was audio recorded and transcribed, and a content analysis was realized.


RESULTS
They show emotions caused by unfavorable life conditions and were classified into seven main categories: 1) defenselessness, 2) negative affection, 3) hope, 4) sadness, 5) depression, 6) isolation and 7) loneliness.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that providing care to ALS patient affects the familiar, social and emotional caregiver's system.
Paz-Rodríguez
F
F
Departamento de Grupos de Apoyo, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, UNAM, Mexico DF, Mexico. franciscopazinnn@salud.gob.mx
Andrade-Palos
P
P
Llanos-Del Pilar
A M
AM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires