Caregiver burden and coping strategies among family caregivers of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis: A descriptive study

Abstrak

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition requiring long-term hemodialysis therapy and affects not only patients but also family caregivers involved in daily care. Continuous caregiving demands may lead to physical, emotional, social, financial, and care-related burdens, requiring adaptive coping strategies to sustain caregiving roles. Objective: This study aimed to identify caregiver burden and coping strategies among family caregivers of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This descriptive quantitative study was conducted at Regional Hospital in Tarakan from December 2025 to February 2026. A total of 133 family caregivers of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis were recruited using a total sampling technique based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Zarit Burden Interview was used to assess caregiver burden, while the Brief COPE was used to measure coping strategies. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis with Jamovi and presented as frequency distributions, percentages, medians, minimum values, and maximum values. Results: Most respondents were adults, female, housewives, had a monthly family income of IDR 1,000,000–3,000,000, and were the patients’ children. The majority of caregivers experienced mild burden, accounting for 84 respondents (63.2%). The most dominant coping strategy was emotion-focused coping, with a median score of 24, a minimum score of 13, and a maximum score of 34. The most frequently used coping subscales were positive reframing, acceptance, and religion, each with a median score of 8. Conclusion: Most family caregivers of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis experienced mild caregiver burden and tended to use emotion-focused coping as their primary strategy. Regular caregiver burden screening, education on adaptive coping strategies, and psychosocial support should be strengthened within hemodialysis care services.