Care Burden and the Predictive Role of Spiritual Well-being and Religious Coping: A Cross Sectional Study Among Iranian Family Caregivers of Patients with Stroke

Background And Aims: The burden of care after a stroke is gaining recognition as a significant healthcare issue. Factors like religion and spirituality, encompassing religious coping and spiritual health, prove to be influential in anticipating the challenges faced by caregivers. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between care burden, spiritual health, and religious coping among caregivers of stroke patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted with the participation of 129 caregivers of stroke patients. The data was collected using the Ellison and Paloutzian spiritual well-being instruments, Pargament Religious Coping (RCOPE) brief version, and the Zarit burden interview (ZBI). Through a census, participants were recruited for the investigation. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (multivariate linear regression analysis).

Results: The study results indicate a strong and statistically significant relationship between the burden of caring and spiritual health ( < 0.001,  = 0.33). Furthermore, specific variables were identified as indicators of an increased burden of care, including positive religious coping ( = 0.04,  = 0.63), the familial relationship between the caregiver and patient, specifically as a child ( = 0.001,  = 29.26), and a sister ( < 0.001,  = 35.93).

Conclusion: It is advisable to consider adopting and implementing appropriate support measures for coping strategies rooted in religion and spirituality. So, it is recommended to enhance the provision of comprehensive support, including psychological and religious interventions. This can be achieved through the collaborative efforts of support groups comprising psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and religious experts.