Abstract
‹Purpose› The purpose of this investigation was to identify factors associated with caregiver burden among primary caregivers of severely disabled persons. Caregiver burden was defined as low self-perceptions of and quality of life (QOL) .
‹Methods› A questionnaire survey was conducted on 77 primary caregivers for people with severe physical and mental disabilities in Osaka and Nara Prefectures. Questions relating ti their self-assessment of health and life, came from the “QoL Questionnaire” formulated by Nagata K. (1989) . To invrstigate factors associated with problems in caregivers, we examined the ADL Level and communication abikity of the disabled and the osychological adaptability of their caregivers to severe disabilities.
‹Result and Conclusions› Among factor related to caregiver burden as seen in their negative self-assessment of health and life, the following appear to be the most serious:
1. They see living together with their disabled family member as essntially a burden.
2. They are concerned about the aging of their disabled family member.
3. They know that they cannot depend on support from others, both formal and informal.
4. There is no time to relax.
5. There in little information provided to them about how to care for the disabled person.
6. Financial difficulties.
These findings will be used to develop interventions for the maintenance of caregiver's good health.
