The relationship between health fatalism and caregiver burden in caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis.

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between health fatalism and caregiver burden among caregivers of patients with MS. The study population consisted of 303 informal caregivers who provided care to patients with MS and presented to the Ondokuz Mayis University Health Practice and Research Center Neurology Clinic between September 2023 and August 2024. A descriptive information form developed by the researchers, the Health Fatalism Scale, and the Caregiver Burden Scale were used as data collection tools. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. The data were analyzed with SPSS program, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean age of caregivers was 39.21 ± 12.02 years; 51.5% were female, 78.9% were married, and 47.9% were graduates of undergraduate/associate degree programs. The mean age of patients was 37.86 ± 10.94 years. Among patients receiving care, 79.5% were female, 45.9% were graduates of undergraduate/associate degree programs, and 86.5% did not use assistive devices. The mean score on the Health Fatalism Scale was determined as 41.54 ± 15.69. The median score on the Caregiver Burden Scale was determined as 16. No significant correlation was identified between the Health Fatalism Scale and the Caregiver Burden Scale; however, a statistically significant weak negative correlation was found between patient age and the Health Fatalism Scale score. Findings indicated that the level of health fatalism among caregivers of patients with MS was moderate. Findings also indicated that the education level of both patients and caregivers affected the understanding of health fatalism. Caregiver burden was determined to be low. However, patient sex and the use of assistive devices increased caregiver burden.