Folia Med Cracov. 2025 Sep 30;65(3):141-160. doi: 10.24425/fmc.2025.156690.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The burden on caregivers of chronically ill patients is a subject of concern for many specialists. The course of multiple sclerosis and the associated change in the patient’s functional ability, as well as the resources available to the caregiver, are related to the burden felt by the caregiver. It is extremely important in relation to the care provided to assess the factors that may determine the burden on caregivers. The aim of this study was to identify selected determinants of burden on caregivers of multiple sclerosis patients.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A diagnostic survey was conducted among 107 caregivers of multiple sclerosis patients using the CBS Caregiver Burden Scale, Guy’s Neurological Disability Scale (GNDS), Berlin Social Support Scale (BSSS), Antonovsky’s SOC-29 Life Orientation Questionnaire, and the author’s own questionnaire. The collected survey data were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and then analyzed using Statistica 13 software. The level of statistical significance was adopted as α = 0.05.
RESULTS: The burden on caregivers was high in all subscales. Life orientation and social support were associated with the burden on caregivers. Low life orientation, decreasing perceived available support and currently provided support, as well as a shortage of currently received support and increased search for support resulted in a higher overall burden among caregivers. In addition, deteriorating functioning of patients exacerbated the caregivers’ feelings of social isolation, disappointment, and emotional involvement.
CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers experienced burdens in various dimensions related to the functional ability of patients and their own resources, such as social support and life orientation.
PMID:41404690 | DOI:10.24425/fmc.2025.156690
