Stressors and coping strategies in Chinese family caregivers of people with dementia in long-term care facilities: A qualitative descriptive study

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the stressors along with coping strategies in Chinese family caregivers whose relative with dementia had been placed into a long-term care facility.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 17 Chinese family caregivers of institutionalised older adults with dementia, recruited via purposeful sampling. Information regarding stressors along with coping strategies was collected through face-to-face semi-structured individual interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, anonymised and imported into MAXQDA 2018.2. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis.

Findings

Three categories of stressors emerged: socioeconomic pressure, hassles arising from continuing caregiving and suboptimal care provided by the facility. In particular, the family caregivers’ experienced tremendous pressure of negative comments from people around since long-term care placement was traditionally viewed as unfilial in Chinese societies. Various coping strategies were adopted by Chinese family caregivers to deal with the stressors; however, they were not always adaptive.

Implications

Health care authorities and professionals should recognise family caregivers’ stressors after long-term care placement of a relative with dementia with the consideration of the unique socio-cultural needs. Appropriate and effective interventions should be developed and implemented to facilitate family caregivers to cope with stressful situations after long-term care placement and further to safeguard their psychosocial well-being.