| The purposes of this study were to examine the influence of patient and caregiver characteristics on caregiver subjective and objective burden, and caregiver mental and physical health. In addition the study sought to examine whether caregiver burden and health differed by caregiver perception's of the patients' health. A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was used to study family caregivers of patients diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).; Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 120 caregivers recruited from three private, physician-owned dialysis centers located in the Mid-South. The Pearlin et al. Stress Model provided the conceptual basis for the study. Data were collected using a demographic data form and the Measurement of Burden Scale (MBS) to assess subjective and objective burden. The Center for Epidemiologic Depression Scale (CES-D) and a single-item, self-rated health question were used to assess depressive symptoms and caregivers perception of their own physical health and the patient's physical health, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, Scheffé's test, Pearson's product-moment correlation, and multiple regression analysis using the stepwise procedure with backward elimination.; Differences were estimated between caregivers' perceptions of the patients' health and caregiver outcomes variables. Both subjective and objective burden and mental and physical health were lowest in caregivers who perceived the patients' health good and highest in caregivers who perceived the patients' health as poor. Caregiver subjective burden was predicted by the caregivers' perceptions of the patients' health, caregiver education, patient age, and caregiver support, whereas objective burden scores was predicted by the caregiver perceptions of the patients' health, caregiver education, caregiver relation to patient, hours of care, and caregiver support. Caregiver mental health was predicted by caregiver perceptions of the patient health, caregiver age, presence of diabetes in the patient, and caregiver support. Finally, caregiver perceptions of the patient health and caregiver age significantly predicted caregiver physical health.; Study findings identified key predictors of caregiver burden and health in family caregivers of patients with ESRD. This information can be used to develop preventive measures and implement interventions to reduce burden and negative health consequences associated with the caregiver role. |
