[Psychosocial burden of the elderly with incontinence - a qualitative analysis]

The aim of this study was to describe the aspects of psychological and physical burden caused by incontinence. The study involved 112 women and men with urinary and/or fecal incontinence aged between 59 and 93 years. The subjective experience of burden was measured in a qualitative manner by means of a semi-structured interview. The semi-structured interviews were evaluated by applying content analysis. In the group of 59- to 93-year-old incontinent women and men, mental stress factors were predominant. Social factors and factors of the behavioural level ranked second and third, respectively. Physical and economic stress factors played only a minor role. Study results are discussed in relation to their implications for theory and practice. Findings result in recommendations for health care professionals (physicians, nurses and psychologists).