KIDNEY DISEASE AND ITS IMPACT ON CAREGIVER BURDEN AND MARITAL SATISFACTION

The purpose of this study is to review and analyze the relevant literature focusing on research studies that examine the impact of kidney disease and chronic illness on caregiver burden and marital satisfaction. Studies show that, as the older population increases and, with it, the rise of chronic illness and caregiver need, the quality of marital and relationship satisfaction between patients and caregiver spouses/partners will have a significant impact on the care that patients receive and on the social and community costs that such care will incur. A scoping review is proposed to search, analyze, and synthesize the existing body of literature based on evidence-based therapeutic interventions available for marital dyads where one spouse is diagnosed with a chronic illness. This proposed study will benefit social work practice and education by identifying effective interventions that target those marital dyads where the chronic illness of one spouse places the partner/care provider at higher risk of caregiver burnout. It will also benefit social work macro practice by helping to identify communities where high rates of caregiver burnout negatively impacts the social and financial cost of care for those with chronic illness.