Kristin Kuntz , Kelly C. Ballantyne , Elizabeth Cousins , Mary Beth Spitznagel
{"title":"Assessment of caregiver burden in owners of dogs with behavioral problems and factors related to its presence","authors":"Kristin Kuntz , Kelly C. Ballantyne , Elizabeth Cousins , Mary Beth Spitznagel","doi":"10.1016/j.jveb.2023.05.006","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Caregiver burden has been recognized in pet owners caring for sick companion animals and is linked to psychosocial distress in pet owners, veterinary stress and burnout, and higher euthanasia rates. The objectives of this study were to determine if owners of dogs with behavioral problems experience clinically meaningful caregiver burden using a well-validated measure of pet caregiver burden, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), and to examine associations between total caregiver burden score, the three ZBI factors (General Strain, Affect/Relational Discomfort, and Guilt/Uncertainty), and owner-related and animal-related factors. A retrospective review was performed of clinical records from a privately owned veterinary behavior referral practice in the United States which included the ZBI-adapted questionnaire. Veterinary medical records for consecutively registered dogs from January 2020 to December 2020 were reviewed (n = 333 dog owners who completed the ZBI-adapted questionnaire). Clinically meaningful burden (> 18) was reported by 68.5% of owners. Average burden scores for the entire group (adapted ZBI=25.43 ± 11.88/24, 0-60) were above the cut-off for clinically meaningful burden established in prior work with seriously ill pets and were consistent with moderate elevation. Scores consistent with severe elevation (> 31) were reported by 26.1% of owners. Client age was significantly related to General Strain (r = −0.199, <em>P</em> = 0.001), Affect/Relational Discomfort (r = −0.227, <em>P</em> < 0.001), Guilt/Uncertainty (r = −0.172, <em>P</em> = 0.005), and Total Adapted ZBI (r = −0.230, <em>P</em> = <0.001). Overall bite history was significantly related to Affect/Relational Discomfort (r = 0.263, <em>P</em> = <0.001), Guilt/Uncertainty (r = 0.202, <em>P</em> = <0.001), and Total Adapted ZBI (r = 0.169, <em>P</em> = 0.002). The findings indicate that clinically meaningful caregiver burden is present in owners of dogs with behavioral problems seeking care from a veterinary behavior practice. By identifying clinically meaningful burden in this population, we can endeavor to reduce caregiver burden through various measures, including reducing complexity of the treatment plan and working with allied mental health professionals. Research is needed to investigate associations between caregiver burden and home type, number of behavioral diagnoses, specific behavioral diagnoses, and outcome of treatment (e.g. rehoming, euthanasia), as well as to evaluate how treatment may alter burden over time.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":17567,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Veterinary Behavior-clinical Applications and Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3000,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Veterinary Behavior-clinical Applications and Research","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787823000576","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Caregiver burden has been recognized in pet owners caring for sick companion animals and is linked to psychosocial distress in pet owners, veterinary stress and burnout, and higher euthanasia rates. The objectives of this study were to determine if owners of dogs with behavioral problems experience clinically meaningful caregiver burden using a well-validated measure of pet caregiver burden, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), and to examine associations between total caregiver burden score, the three ZBI factors (General Strain, Affect/Relational Discomfort, and Guilt/Uncertainty), and owner-related and animal-related factors. A retrospective review was performed of clinical records from a privately owned veterinary behavior referral practice in the United States which included the ZBI-adapted questionnaire. Veterinary medical records for consecutively registered dogs from January 2020 to December 2020 were reviewed (n = 333 dog owners who completed the ZBI-adapted questionnaire). Clinically meaningful burden (> 18) was reported by 68.5% of owners. Average burden scores for the entire group (adapted ZBI=25.43 ± 11.88/24, 0-60) were above the cut-off for clinically meaningful burden established in prior work with seriously ill pets and were consistent with moderate elevation. Scores consistent with severe elevation (> 31) were reported by 26.1% of owners. Client age was significantly related to General Strain (r = −0.199, P = 0.001), Affect/Relational Discomfort (r = −0.227, P < 0.001), Guilt/Uncertainty (r = −0.172, P = 0.005), and Total Adapted ZBI (r = −0.230, P = <0.001). Overall bite history was significantly related to Affect/Relational Discomfort (r = 0.263, P = <0.001), Guilt/Uncertainty (r = 0.202, P = <0.001), and Total Adapted ZBI (r = 0.169, P = 0.002). The findings indicate that clinically meaningful caregiver burden is present in owners of dogs with behavioral problems seeking care from a veterinary behavior practice. By identifying clinically meaningful burden in this population, we can endeavor to reduce caregiver burden through various measures, including reducing complexity of the treatment plan and working with allied mental health professionals. Research is needed to investigate associations between caregiver burden and home type, number of behavioral diagnoses, specific behavioral diagnoses, and outcome of treatment (e.g. rehoming, euthanasia), as well as to evaluate how treatment may alter burden over time.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research is an international journal that focuses on all aspects of veterinary behavioral medicine, with a particular emphasis on clinical applications and research. Articles cover such topics as basic research involving normal signaling or social behaviors, welfare and/or housing issues, molecular or quantitative genetics, and applied behavioral issues (eg, working dogs) that may have implications for clinical interest or assessment.
JVEB is the official journal of the Australian Veterinary Behaviour Interest Group, the British Veterinary Behaviour Association, Gesellschaft fr Tierverhaltensmedizin und Therapie, the International Working Dog Breeding Association, the Pet Professional Guild, the Association Veterinaire Suisse pour la Medecine Comportementale, and The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.