[Influence of social support on the quality of life of family caregivers while caring for people with dependence]

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the Quality of Life (QOL) of family caregivers of handicapped people attended at home by Family Health Teams and the relationship with their social support. Sixty-six family caregivers were interviewed using the WHOQOL-bref for a QOL evaluation and Zarit Burden Interview for the burden. The Social Relations domain of the WHOQOL-bref received the second best score within the domains of the instrument. During multiple linear regressions analysis, female caregivers, with low burden scores and who had received help from someone to perform the care, obtained the highest scores. Similarly, caregivers with partners had higher mean scores in the overall global assessment for QOL and health than those without partners. The results provide evidence of the influence of social support regarding Quality of Life and the burden perceived by family caregivers.