Comparison of Perceived Stress in Caregivers of Transplant Patients by Age

Objective: Perceived stress is an important outcome of long-term care of transplant patients and may be affected by demographic characteristics, including age. This study aimed to compare the level of perceived stress in different age groups of transplant caregivers. Results: Of the ۳۸۲ participating caregivers with a mean age of ۴۴.۱۳±۱۰.۹۲ and a majority of women (۵۸.۱%), the results showed that the mean perceived stress score in the age group under ۳۵ years was ۳۸.۵۶±۵.۲۲, in the ۳۵ to ۴۹ years group was ۳۱.۵۴±۸.۷۷, and in the ۵۰ years and older group was ۳۳.۹۳±۸.۸۶. The difference between age groups was statistically significant (F(۲,۳۷۳)=۱۸.۷۶, P=۰.۰۰۱). Tukey's post hoc test showed that the age group under ۳۵ years had significantly more stress than other groups (P<۰.۰۵). Also, the results of linear regression showed that age was significantly associated with perceived stress and explained ۲.۲% of its variance (R²=۰.۰۲۲, P<۰.۰۰۴). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that younger caregivers (under ۳۵ years) have higher perceived stress than other age groups. Therefore, paying special attention to the psychological needs of this age group and designing age-appropriate supportive interventions can be effective in reducing caregiving stress.

کلیدواژه ها:

Transplant Patients ، Caregivers ، Perceived Stress ، Age