The Influence of Social Support on Physical Exhaustion and Emotional Distress: A Case Study of Family Caregivers of The Aged 70-100 Years in the Methodist Church - Accra Diocese.

Abstract

This study examined the influence of social support on physical exhaustion and emotional distress among family caregivers and also explores the relationship between caregiver burden and social support on physical exhaustion and emotional distress. A survey methodology was used to sample 120 family caregivers from a population of 240 in the Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church. The findings revealed that the most influential social support relief physical exhaustion is that in the past 4 weeks, the majority feel that everything was an effort. The study also found that the most influential burden of family caregivers is that they feel they are positively influencing other people’s lives through their work. Also, the study found out that the most influential social support duke inventory is feeling useful to the family. A linear regression test revealed that social support has influence and therefore affect the physical exhaustion and emotional distress. This study revealed that social support influences physical exhaustion and emotional distress. It is recommended that there should be family commitment, education, counselling given to social caregivers and further research must be done to contribute more to this area future.