title: Stressors and resources of caregivers of patients with incurable progressive illness in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: Family caregivers are central to palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet although supporting caregivers requires a comprehensive understanding of caregiver burden, there has been little research into this topic in Africa. Using the Stress Process Model to investigate the burden experienced by caregivers in South Africa and Uganda, we interviewed 37 caregivers and analyzed the data thematically. Caregivers' primary stressors related to day-to-day patient care and emotional support; secondary stressors included financial hardship, family responsibilities, and social isolation. Caregivers' social, relational, spiritual, and psychological resources mediated the effects of these stressors. Strengthening one resource strengthened others, but the failure of one resource hindered other resources, exacerbating burden. In providing caregiver support, policymakers and service providers should focus on enhancing caregivers' resources as well as alleviating their stressors.
authors.affiliation: 1King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jocelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Streid
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harding
authors.forename: Godfrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Agupio
authors.forename: Natalya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dinat
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Downing
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gwyther
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ikin
authors.forename: Thandi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mashao
authors.forename: Keletso
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mmoledi
authors.forename: Anthony P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Moll
authors.forename: Lydia Mpanga
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Sebuyira
authors.forename: Irene J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Higginson
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Selman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013019:South Africa; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D014454:Uganda
keywords: Africa, South; Africa, sub-Saharan; caregivers / caregiving; coping and adaptation; end-of-life issues; families, caregiving; illness and disease, life-threatening / terminal; palliative care; psychosocial issues; quality of life; relationships; research, qualitative