The cortisol awakening response in caregivers of schizophrenic offspring shows sensitivity to patient status

Autor: Luis Moya-Albiol, Esperanza González-Bono, Sara de Andrés-García
Rok vydání: 2011
Předmět:
Zdroj: Anxiety, Stress & Coping. 24:107-120
ISSN: 1477-2205
1061-5806
DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2010.481792
Popis: Taking care of offspring during a prolonged period of time is probably one of the most stressful life experiences for parents. The present study compares the cortisol awakening response (CAR) in 38 long-term caregivers (mothers and fathers of schizophrenic relatives) with a control group of 32 non-caregivers. Factors such as general stress, caregiver burden, patient severity, and institutionalization were studied. Although a blunted CAR was observed in caregivers in comparison with controls, this difference was not significant. Among caregivers, the absence of institutionalization for the patient is associated with a lack of CAR in caregivers in comparison with caregivers of institutionally supported patients. General stress, caregiver burden, and patient severity themselves did not favor significant changes in CAR. CAR shows greater sensitivity to institutional support than patient severity and perceived stress. Further research is needed to explain the impact of these factors on health and the psychological factors involved.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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