Perceived Stress and Overload in Caregivers of Patients with Kidney Failure

Abstract

Objective: This study was carried out with the objective of determining the relationship between stress and overload in caregivers of patients with kidney failure. Materials and methods: A descriptive and correlational study was carried out in a sample of 79 caregivers of patients with kidney failure to whom the Perceived Stress Scale and the Zarit Test were applied. Results: A total of 6.3% (f = 5) have never, almost never, or never felt stressed; 64.6% (f = 51) have occasionally felt stressed, and 29.1% (f = 23) have often been stressed. Regarding overload, 69.6% (f = 55) have not presented overload, 20.3% (f = 16) presented mild overload, and 10.1% (f = 8) presented intense overload. Also, stress showed a relationship with caregiver overload (rs = .488; p = .000). Conclusions: It is important to apply nursing interventions that favor the reduction of stress and overload, among which an educational intervention could have a positive effect.