Relação do estresse psicológico com a saúde física e mental em cuidadores informais de pessoas com demência

The human being seeks to maintain homeostasis aiming at a harmonious relationship with his environment. However, stressors can alter this balance. Stress can occur within physiological limits, and even be considered necessary in certain situations. However, in excessive situations it can cause damage to the body. The mechanism of this process is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HHA). Dementia is a clinical syndrome that progressively shaves the performance of activities of daily living. Thus, the person with dementia needs continuous and extended care from a caregiver (family or friend) to maintain daily activities. Scientific evidence demonstrates that performing this activity can leave a person overwhelmed or psychologically stressed by feeling unable to cope with the difficulties of the person with dementia and compromising the health and well-being of the caregiver. This research is necessary as informal caregivers of people with dementia may present changes in physical and psychological health related to the activities of caring for the person with dementia. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between psychological stress and its influence on physical health, resilience, anxiety and depression in informal caregivers of people with dementia. This is an Ex-Post Facto (correlational) study, which was carried out with 160 informal caregivers of people with dementia who are attending the Aging Neuropsychology Service (SENE) of the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB). Data collection was performed through the application of a Sociodemographic Questionnaire (QS) and Valued Scales (EVs) for the evaluation of: Physical Health, Anxiety, Depression, Overload and Resilience. The research was submitted on 07/12/2017 to the analysis for the issuance of the opinion of the Ethics Committee in Research of the UFPB, via registered in the Brazil Platform, and approved under CAAE: 80971217.3.0000.5188. Participating in the study were 160 informal caregivers of people with dementia who were ...