SECTION B – CAREGIVING STRESS

Objectives:

• Identify internal and external sources of stress associated with your caregiving responsibilities.
•  
• Recognize symptoms of stress and effective ways you might attempt to cope with stress.
•  
• Learn strategies for preventing burnout by avoid cumulative stress and maintaining a balanced life.

HOW MUCH STRESS DO YOU EXPERIENCE AS A RESULT OF THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS OF CAREGIVING?
	0		= Not stressful
	1		= Slightly stressful
	2		= Moderately stressful
	3		= Extremely stressful
	4		= Unbearably stressful

As a caregiver, I experience upset / stress because of ...   Please indicate with a ‘X’ how much stress you experience for each item
1.1 - INTRA/ INTERPERSONAL FACTORS		0	1	2	3	4
01	So many dying	__	__	__	__	__
02	Young people dying	__	__	__	__	__
03	Not having a cure	__	__	__	__	__
04	Not knowing how to help	__	__	__	__	__
05	Fear of getting disease	__	__	__	__	__
06	My own HIV status	__	__	__	__	__
07	Fear of my own death	__	__	__	__	__
08	Guilt/ inadequacy	__	__	__	__	__
09	Drug users with AIDS	__	__	__	__	__
10	Children with no parents	__	__	__	__	__
11	Women with AIDS	__	__	__	__	__
12	Infants or children with AIDS	__	__	__	__	__
13	Co-workers with AIDS	__	__	__	__	__
14	Friends with AIDS	__	__	__	__	__
15	Unpredictable symptoms	__	__	__	__	__
16	Aids-related mental problems	__	__	__	__	__
17	Discussions of suicide	__	__	__	__	__
18	Not knowing what to say	__	__	__	__	__
19	Dealing with families	__	__	__	__	__
20	No one to talk to	__	__	__	__	__

HOW MUCH STRESS DO YOU EXPERIENCE AS A RESULT OF THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS OF CAREGIVING?
	0		= Not stressful
	1		= Slightly stressful
	2		= Moderately stressful
	3		= Extremely stressful
	4		= Unbearably stressful

As a caregiver, I experience upset / stress because of ... Please indicate with a ‘X’ how much stress you experience for each item
1.2 – EXTERNAL FACTORS		0	1	2	3	4
21	Demanding patients/ clients	__	__	__	__	__
22	Outdated equipment	__	__	__	__	__
23	Lack of medications	__	__	__	__	__
24	Limited resources (incl. food)	__	__	__	__	__
25	Cost of treatments	__	__	__	__	__
26	Long hours	__	__	__	__	__
27	Lack of training	__	__	__	__	__
28	Understaffed	__	__	__	__	__
29	Poorly trained staff	__	__	__	__	__
30	Poor communications	__	__	__	__	__
31	Low morale	__	__	__	__	__
32	Constant policy changes	__	__	__	__	__
33	Agency "politics"	__	__	__	__	__
34	Lack of public support	__	__	__	__	__
35	Demanding superiors	__	__	__	__	__
36	Under funded	__	__	__	__	__
37	Paperwork	__	__	__	__	__
38	High staff turnover	__	__	__	__	__
39	Low staff morale	__	__	__	__	__
40	Staff absenteeism	__	__	__	__	__

PERSONAL EVALUATION: SOURCES OF STRESS

1. Which aspects of Aids care did you rate "3" or "4" as a source of stress for you?

2. What can you do to manage these sources of stress?

3. Identify the stress factors over which you may have some control by ...

          (a) Getting information

(b) Taking action

          (e.g. finding someone to talk to; requesting additional training; cutting back

              on your hours of involvement; changing assignments; etc.

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

Please indicate how often you experience the following:
	0		= Never
	1		= Rarely
	2		= Sometimes, not often
	3		= Often, not always
	4		= Most of the time

Please indicate with a ‘X’ how often you experience the symptom listed
1.1 – PHYSICAL		0	1	2	3	4
1	Colds / Flu	__	__	__	__	__
2	Headaches	__	__	__	__	__
3	Indigestion	__	__	__	__	__
4	Lethargy (no energy)	__	__	__	__	__
5	Insomnia (Can’t sleep)	__	__	__	__	__
6	Fatigue (tired)	__	__	__	__	__
7	Accidents	__	__	__	__	__
8	Backaches	__	__	__	__	__
1.2  EMOTIONAL		0	1	2	3	4
9	Sadness	__	__	__	__	__
10	Exhaustion (emotional)	__	__	__	__	__
11	Anger	__	__	__	__	__
12	Frustration	__	__	__	__	__
13	‘It is all too much’	__	__	__	__	__
14	Confusion	__	__	__	__	__
15	Resentment	__	__	__	__	__
16	Depression	__	__	__	__	__
17	Anxiety / Worry	__	__	__	__	__
18	Helplessness	__	__	__	__	__
19	Lonely / Separate	__	__	__	__	__
20	Irritable	__	__	__	__	__

Please indicate how often you experience the following:
	0		= Never
	1		= Rarely
	2		= Sometimes, not often
	3		= Often, not always
	4		= Most of the time

Please indicate with a ‘X’ how often you experience the symptom listed

1.3  COPING		0	1	2	3	4
21	Overeating	__	__	__	__	__
22	Increased smoking	__	__	__	__	__
23	Sleeping a lot	__	__	__	__	__
24	Drinking (alcohol) to relax	__	__	__	__	__
25	Not talking to people	__	__	__	__	__
26	Can’t make a decision	__	__	__	__	__
27	Carelessness	__	__	__	__	__
28	Drug dependency	__	__	__	__	__
29	Keeping away from people	__	__	__	__	__
30	Working too much	__	__	__	__	__
31	Relationship problems	__	__	__	__	__
32	Lower sex drive	__	__	__	__	__

PERSONAL EVALUATION: SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

1.     Which symptoms of Stress did you rate "3" or "4" ?

2.    Under/After which conditions or situations do these symptoms occur most often?

3.    How do these symptoms of stress affect your daily life, and effectiveness as a caregiver?

4.    How often do you engage in relaxation or de-stressing activities?

5.    What reasons do you offer to yourself and others for not being able to 'take time out' ? How valid are these reasons ?