Burden and stress associated with spousal caregiving for individuals with heart failure

The purpose of this study was to examine the level of caregiver burden and stress experienced by spouses of patients with heart failure. The population of those afflicted with heart failure is growing, and the home management regimen is becoming more complex. A nonprobability sample of 11 male and 30 female spouses participated in this descriptive survey. Participation included the completion of the Caregiving Demands Scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory and a demographic form. Results revealed that caregiving in this sample was burdensome and stressful. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.32), p = 0.04) between the number of helping behaviors performed and level of stress. Also, there was a significant relationship (r = 0.43, p = 0.01) between perceived difficulty in performing caregiving activities and level of stress. Female subjects reported performing more helping behaviors and more difficulty in performing them than the men. Women also identified items related to social participation and the relationship with spouse as most burdensome, whereas men reported activities related to supervision and responsibility as most difficult to manage. Future research on the demands and stressors for those caring for heart failure patients should include a qualitative component to assess the burden and strain in more depth.