The psychosocial burden of people caring for persons dependent on the assistance of another person in the home environment

This diploma thesis deals about the points at issue of the psycho-social strain with people taking care of the person dependant on the care of other physical person in the home background. The problems of family home helps in the natural millieu of an individual dependant on the care are getting more and more actual. The aim of this diploma thesis lies in defining the decisive factors of the psycho-social strain on the persons caring of persons dependant on the assistence of other physical person in the home background. The partial aim is to find out in which areas the persons taking care of persons dependant on the asistence of other physical person in the home background feel the increased strain. Another partial aim is to find out whether the persons taking care of persons dependant on the assistence of other physical person in the home background know and apply the principles of mental hygiene. Following the aims of the diploma thesis, there are postulated two research questions. The research question 1: Which kind of stress do the caring persons consider the most relevant in their job? The research question 2: Which possible symptoms of burnt-out effect do the caring persons observe on themselves? The practical part of the diploma thesis is worked out in the form of qualitative research. The method of inquiry and the technique of semi-structuralized interview were used for the purposes of the research. Furthermore, the technique of observation was applied. The research was implemented with the Inventory of symptoms of burnt-out effect adapted for the purpose of this research. The selected file is formed of eight persons taking care of persons dependant on the assistence of other physical person in the home background who complied with the pre-set criteria; the method of so-called "snowball" was chosen. The gained data were evaluated by the method of open coding. The research pointed out the facts and risks that the realization of the care of a person dependant on the care of other physical person in the home background is carrying out. The research pointed out the areas in which these persons feel the increased strain. The area of physical exertion in caring, the consciousness of responsibility in connection with caring, the area of communication and understanding a person dependant on the care and facing up to the fate and watching helplessness are demanding the most for the caring persons. It was found out from the evidences that caring persons consider this activity stressful; they feel both acute and chronical stress during the execution of the care, they feel it in connection with the lack of time and with the responsibility, in connection with the fears of future, but also in connection with not coping with the past. Family and friends, that provide both psychical support and assistence in the realization of the care, help most the persons caring of persons dependant on the care to deal with the demands of this care. As well as solitude and rest, sport activities and culture help them. In connection with caring the engaged persons have the feeling of doing a good thing, but also the feelings of sorrow, doubts and despairs. Those caring persons who perceive the risky factor of burnt-out effect can observe its symptoms on the emotional, rational, physical and social level on themselves. This thesis can contribute to understanding the importance of work of caring persons in the home background. It will deliver the information about the relevant factors of psycho-social strain on the persons taking care of persons dependant on the assistence of other physical person in the home background. Moreover, it can contribute to the eventual development of services corresponding to the needs of the persons taking care of persons dependant on the assistence of other physical person in the home background