Sleep Experiences and Daytime Sleepiness Levels of Family Caregivers in Palliative Care: Qualitative and Quantitative Findings
III. International Nursing Care and Research Congress, Gaziantep, Türkiye, 5 - 07 Kasım 2026, ss.1-9, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Gaziantep
- Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-9
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Introduction: Family members
caring for palliative care patients are at risk for sleep disturbances and
daytime sleepiness due to the burden of care. However, studies
comparing the impact of caregiver burden on sleep experiences between
caregivers and non-caregivers are limited.
Aim: This study aims to
compare caregivers' daytime sleepiness and sleep experiences with the control group.
Materials and Methods: This mixed-methods study used a concurrent
convergent parallel design. Data were collected concurrently at the Palliative
Care Unit of a university hospital between September 15, 2025, and June 15,
2026. The quantitative sample consisted of 45 caregivers and 47 control group
participants, while the qualitative sample consisted of 15 caregivers and 15
control group participants who agreed to participate in the interview.
Quantitative data were collected using the Epworth Daytime Sleepiness Scale;
qualitative data were analyzed according to Braun and Clarke's reflexive
thematic analysis approach, and group themes were compared and integrated.
Results: Although caregivers' Epworth scores were
higher than the control group, there was no significant difference (p=0.067;
r=0.19); there was also no difference between the groups in terms of excessive
daytime sleepiness according to the clinical cutoff point (p=1.000). Epworth
scores did not show significant differences in caregivers based on
sociodemographic and caregiving characteristics (p>0.05). In the qualitative
analysis, four themes were identified in the caregiver group, reflecting the
effects of caregiving responsibilities on sleep, the consequences of
sleeplessness, coping mechanisms, and how the caregiving role alters the
meaning of sleep; while three themes were identified in the control group,
reflecting sleep experience, the effects of insomnia, and individual approaches
to sleep. In the control group, sleep was defined as rest, rejuvenation, and a
natural part of life, while in caregivers, it transformed into an experience
shaped by constant alertness, interrupted sleep, and caregiving needs due to
caregiving responsibilities. While the physical and emotional effects of insomnia
were similar in both groups, caregivers experienced these effects more
persistently and multifacetedly due to the burden of caregiving. In the control
group, sleep problems were mostly managed through individual methods, while in
the caregivers, support from family and healthcare professionals was a
significant coping resource. It has been observed that the meaning attributed
to the caregiving role, specific to caregivers, overrides sleep, and sleep is
reinterpreted through feelings of peace and security.
Conclusions: While daytime sleepiness does not differ
between groups, caregiver experience transforms the pattern, quality, and
meaning of sleep.