The nurse assesses a 77-year-old woman who has been caring for her husband who has Alzheimer disease in their home for the past 8 years. The client complains of exhaustion and depression

Question

Which stressors should the nurse most suspect as the cause of this client's symptoms?
A) Marital strain
B) Caregiver burden
C) Spillover
D) Interfamily strain

Answer 1

Ans: D
Feedback:
Whether caring for an elder who is homebound or a child with a disability, caregiver burden has been well documented in the literature as a significant stressor on the family member who assumes primary responsibility for care. In most cultures, women (mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, or female in-laws) have assumed this role, usually by default. Caregiver burden is a significant issue for families because it can cause the development of physical or emotional illness in the caregiver over time. Marital strain is a term that describes how couples manage tensions and promote intimacy as opposed to create negativity (strain) in conflict resolution (Gottman, 1994). Defensiveness, criticism, contempt, and withdrawal erode trust in many relationships. Spillover describes the relationship between work and family—that is, requirements in different roles are similar, or fulfillment is sought in one role because of lack of gratification in others. Caregiver burden is considered intrafamily strain, which is the effect of stressors on families that make members less sensitive and loving to each other (not "interfamily strain").