A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON COPING STRATEGIES AND SENSE OF COHERENCE AMONG CAREGIVERS OF MENTALLY AND NEUROLOGICALLY ILL PATIENTS IN KASTURBA HOSPITAL

Introduction : Diseases take a toll not only on those affected, but also on the ones around them. Regardless of language, culture or country caregiving has become an everyday part of life for millions of people around the globe. Though differently named on each continent, these millions of 'carers' or 'caregivers' provide care to family members ,partners or friends each year because they are sick, elderly or have a disability. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the coping strategies and sense of coherence among caregivers of patients with mental and neurologic illness. Methods : Comparative, descriptive study design was used. The study was conducted among 40 caregivers of clients who were admitted in psychiatric and neurologic wards of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. Tools used were demographic proforma, coping scale and sense of coherence-29 scale. Results : Findings showed that there was no significant difference in the coping strategies and sense of coherence of caregivers of mentally and neurologically ill patients (p>0.05). The study also revealed that there was no association between sense of coherence and coping strategies of caregivers of mentally ill patients (p=1). Conclusion : Both the caregivers of mentally and neurologically ill patients used almost same coping strategies such as substance abuse and denial. Both the caregivers of mentally and neurologically ill patients considered caring their relative during illness is meaningful. The study highlights the need for family interventional programs to address the specific concern , related to coping and sense of coherence of caregivers.