Spousal Caregivers of Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Patients: Differences between Caregivers with Low vs. High Caregiving Demands

PURPOSE: Compared to non-caregivers, caregivers have higher rates of depressive symptoms, caregiver strain, less mutuality, and health care visits. However, few investigators have examined family caregivers after coronary artery bypass (CAB) surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in caregiving difficulties, mutuality (i.e., open communication; avoiding sad thoughts), and depressive symptoms based on low vs. high caregiving demands among spousal caregivers.

DESIGN: A descriptive, comparative design was used to examine 33 spousal caregivers of CAB surgery patients (16 in low and 17 in high caregiving demand groups).

METHODS: Measures included: Caregiving Burden Scale, Mutuality and Interpersonal Sensitivity Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U statistics.

FINDINGS: It was found that caregivers with high caregiving demands reported more caregiving difficulties and more open communication about the surgery compared to caregivers with low demands.

CONCLUSION: Caregivers with greater caregiving demands may need additional support to assist them with the caregiving situation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Priority should be given to family caregivers, who take care of patients in cardiac rehabilitation, with higher caregiving demand.