The relationship between caregiver burden and anger level of informal caregivers of patients in palliative care centre

Abstract

Background: Palliative care is a comprehensive service that includes not only the patient but also the caregivers. Aims: This research was carried out to determine the relationship and factors affecting the burden and anger level of informal caregivers of patients. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with caregivers (n=206) of patients hospitalised in two Palliative Care Centers in Ordu, Turkiye. Findings: In the research, it was determined that there was a statistically significant relationship between the burden of caregivers and the trait anger level, anger-in, anger-out sub-dimension scores of The Trait Anger and Anger Expression Scale, but a negative relationship was found between the burden of caregivers and anger control sub-dimension scores of The Trait Anger and Anger Expression Scale. Conclusions: The burden of a caregiving process has a positive impact on the trait anger level, anger-in, anger-out but has a negative impact on anger control. Nurses should monitor a caregiver's level of anger and burden and develop programmes required to decrease the caregiver's anger level and burden.