AVALIAÇÃO DA QUALIDADE DE VIDA DO CUIDADOR DE ENFERMOS CRÔNICOS

Abstract

This dissertation starts from the assumption that some caregivers of the chronically ill present a dependency on this intense care and the bond they have with the sick, leading them to codependency. Interest in the subject stems from the need to understand the quality of life of caregivers of the chronically ill, including ways of coping with problems used in different stages of disease progression. To approach this issue, a literature review was performed (which makeup the Introduction and Chapter I) among the bases: LILACS, IBECS, BDENF, MEDLINE, CAPES, HIGHTBEAM, including researching books and sites relating to the key words: quality of life, codependency, chronic illness, caregiver, coping psychological strategies. Chapter 2 presents an empirical study, prepared under the rules of the journal Issues in Psychology. It is a quantitative and qualitative study conducted among 20 caregivers of the chronically ill, of both sexes approached between June and August 2010 in the medical clinic at a teaching hospital. Participants were administered a socio demographic form, the WHOQOL- abbreviated, the EMEP and a schedule of semi-structured interview. The results indicated that the quality of life scores were satisfactory and had plasticity in the use of psychological coping strategies. However, analysis of the interviews showed that most indicators showed suggestive of codependency. It is the need of psychological intervention in similar situations, both to manage codependent attitudes and maintain good levels of quality of life of caregivers, as to make them a therapeutic agent of the chronically ill.