A Research Study on the Burnout Level and Coping Mechanisms of Cancer Caregivers in Philippine General Hospital

Abstract

The researcher conducted a descriptive-correlational study on determining the degree of burnout and coping mechanisms that are employed by the caregivers of cancer patients in the Philippine General Hospital. The study also described the factors that might affect the degree of burnout. The study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods of research. It was conducted using an interviewer- administered survey-type questionnaire among caregivers. The questionnaire was divided into four parts, as follows: (I) demographic profile; (II) burnout level was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory developed by Maslach and Jackson (1981); (III) level of optimism, was measured using the Life Orientation Test - Revised developed by Scheier and Carver (n.d.); and, (IV) different coping styles was measured using the Brief COPE Inventory developed by Carver (1997). After which, in-depth interviews were done in order to enrich the data gathered. A descriptive analysis was used in the study in analyzing the burnout level and coping mechanisms of caregivers. In addition, correlational analyses were used in analyzing the factors that might affect the degree of burnout. Results show that cancer caregivers are experiencing a moderate degree of burnout. Among the variables, only level of optimism is associated to the level of burnout. As the level of optimism increases, burnout level of caregivers decreases. On the other hand, caregivers used more positive coping strategies than negative coping strategies. Religion is the number one coping strategy that was used by the caregivers. Behavioral disengagements were the least likely coping mechanisms used by the caregivers.