ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Parents with autistic children are more susceptible of developing stress due to genuine challenges in treasuring them. During the world pandemic disaster of COVID-19 emergency, the challenge is far greater than expected as movement control order restricted them to seek for help and resources as the country adopting strict isolation measurement to restrain COVID-19 virus infection. This survey was conducted online to determine the prevalence of stress, independent predictor and assessing coping style that help to overcome them. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using Facebook platform. The survey was posted into Autisme Malaysia group for 2 weeks duration from 17th June until 30th June 2020. Stress was measured using Malay version of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and coping style using Brief COPE questionnaire. Independent t-test was used to determine coping style associated with stress and multiple logistic regression for independent stress predictor. Results: The mean age of respondents was 38.9 years old with mean child’s age was 8.6 years old. Majority of respondents were female, Malay, and married couples with 83.1% of the caregivers were having stress. The independent predictor for stress were age of the caregivers and the level of education. The approach style of coping was significantly associated with stress. Conclusion: The pandemic has directly and indirectly contributed to stress prevalence among caregivers of children with autism. Hence, the right coping style should be embraced and empowered to parents for healthier stress therapy. Our findings recommended that coping style of informational support, behavioural disengagement, religion and acceptance as dynamic model of coping style.
ABSTRACT
: The psychological impact of care giving responsibility for dementia patients is significant regardless of the cultural background. Most of the current advanced caregivers’ interventions, originating from developed western countries, do not necessarily apply to local settings. Hence, there is a need for an effective culturally competent psychological intervention for these caregivers. The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of the cultural-based support group for Malay caregivers of dementia patients in Kelantan towards their burden, anxiety and depression level, and quality of life. Methods: This was an experimental study, without control, investigating pre and post support group intervention effectiveness in reducing caregiver burden, anxiety and depression, and improving the quality of life. Sixteen caregivers completed the program, which involved seven fortnightly support group sessions with duration of 2 hours each, conducted over twelve weeks. Caregivers’ burden was assessed using Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) while their psychological well-being was objectively assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). WHO Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to measure the quality of life. The validated Malay versions of the questionnaires were used. Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in the level of caregiver burden (p = or < 0.001). Measurement of both scores of anxiety and depression comparing pre and post intervention also showed improvement, but statistically were not significant. Assessment of caregivers’ quality of life showed statistically significant improvement in the domains of social, psychological and physical (all with the p-value <0.05). Discussion: Our cultural-based support group is an effective intervention to improve burden, psychological well-being and quality of life among local caregivers of dementia patients. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 18 (1): January – June 2017: XX XX.