Coping Strategies among Family Caregivers of Patients with Chronic Illness: A Qualitative Grounded Theory Study

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the coping strategies of family caregivers with chronic illness patients in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: The current study employed an inductive approach, specifically the grounded theory method. A total of 33 respondents were involved in this study, consisting of 24 family caregivers and nine professional helpers from diverse backgrounds. All respondents were recruited through purposive and theoretical sampling based on specified criteria. Data collection and analyses were carried out using semi-structured interviews and memos. Data analyses were assisted by NVivo 12 software. Several measures were undertaken to ensure the credibility and trustworthiness of the data. Results: Findings revealed four main coping strategies employed by family caregivers. It includes (1) support systems, (2) positive behaviour, (3) spiritual and (4) self-adjustment. Support systems comprise family, friends, employer and community. Positive behaviours include self-care practices, including seeking help from professional helpers, managing personal stress, emotional expressions and engaging in journal writing. Spirituality involves faith in God and religious practices, while self-adjustment consists of emotional and cognitive adjustment. Conclusion: This study contributes to the literature by providing new insights into the coping strategies used by family caregivers in the Malaysian context. The findings suggest that coping strategies should be individually investigated and adapted based on personal preferences and context. It offers valuable implications for nursing practices, particularly in providing a basic guideline for them to work with patient caregivers.