Caregiving style and quality of life in caregivers of patients with cardiovascular disease

Objectives: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, frequently requires informal caregiving. Spousal caregivers may gain satisfaction while providing care, but there are associated risks, including reduced quality of life (QoL). Caregiving Style (CS; i.e. the ways one responds and is attentive towards their partner's needs) may help explain why some caregivers experience worse QoL. This study investigated the relationship between CS and QoL among caregivers of patients with a diagnosed cardiac condition. Methods: Spousal caregivers recruited from a cardiac rehabilitation program at an academic teaching hospital completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, CS Questionnaire, and QoL Questionnaire for Cardiac Spouses. Multiple regression analyses were conducted, controlling for age, gender, and education. Results: The sample consisted of 170 spousal caregivers (M age = 61.8; 74.3% female). The mean of the physical and social functioning scale was 59.4 (SD 10.3) and emotional scale was 71.5 (SD 14.4). Average scores for proximal, sensitive, controlling, and compulsive styles were 4.95, 4.33, 2.82, and 3.22, respectively. Spouses reporting compulsive caregiving (e.g. overprotection, providing intensive care) indicated poor physical/social (beta=-0.42, SE=1.02, -7.19, -3.18, p<.001), and emotional functioning (beta=-0.41, SE = 1.41, -10.15, -4.60, p<.001). Those reporting sensitive caregiving (i.e. understanding patient needs and feelings) indicated better emotional functioning (beta=.19, SE = 1.46, .10, 5.85, p=.04). No other CS was significantly associated with QoL. Conclusions: Spousal caregivers engaging in compulsive styles of care may be susceptible to poor QoL, whereas engaging in sensitive styles may promote better QoL. CS may be an important consideration in programming and services designed to support caregivers.