[Loneliness, anxiety, and depression in adopting the family caregiver role of chronic patientsSolidao, ansiedade e depressao na adoao do papel de cuidador familiar do paciente crónico].

Abstract

Introduction: In line with Meleis'theory, during the transition to a family caregiver, there are underlying conditions that facilitate or limit the adoption of the role and may affect the person's wholeness.

Objective: To determine the relationship between depression, anxiety, loneliness, and the adoption of the role of family caregivers of people with chronic disease in Los Patios (Colombia) during 2021.

Materials and methods: Quantitative cross-sectional analytical research that included 120 patients and 120 caregivers. The UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) Loneliness Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the ROL scale were completed by the participants using Google Forms®. The analysis was performed using SPSS version 24; descriptive statistics such as frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion, and bivariate correlation coefficients like Pearson's were calculated.

Results: Significant correlations were found between caregivers' age, anxiety (r = .230; p < 0.05), and depression (r = .297; p < 0.05); and between the hours required daily for caregiving and anxiety (r = .255; p < 0.05) and caregiver's depression (r = .328; p < 0.05).

Conclusions: In a linear regression model, it was evident that loneliness and caregiver role adoption are predictors of anxiety (p < 0.05).