PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND COPING STYLE AMONG TERMINALLY-LLL PATIENTS' CAREGIVERS AT THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, KEFFI, NIGERIA

The study investigated coping style as predictors of psychological distress among eighty-three (83) terminally-ill patients' caregivers at Federal Medical Centre, Keffii, Nigeria They consisted of thirty-five (35) males and forty-eight (48) females with age bracket ranging from 18 years and above. The participants responded to two sets of research instruments which are Psychological Distress Scale and Brief Cope Questionnaire Institutional approval was obtained from the authorities. Two hypotheses were stated and tested. The study employed the used of simple statistical techniques such as Inferential statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlations and Regression Analysis for data analysis of the two hypotheses postulated in the study and the results shows that coping style has not significantly predicted psychological distress (r(81) = -0.183, P> .05). In addition, Gender; Coping Style has jointly and independently predicted psychological distress among terminally-ill patients' caregivers at Federal Medical Centre, Keffi (r= .183; p< .05). Independently, gender (6= .037; t= .356, p> .05) and coping style (6= -.128; t= -1.234, p> .05 did not predict psychological distress among terminally ill patient caregivers. The findings were discussed in line with the existing literature cited in this research. In conclusion, this study reveals the role of psychological distress and coping style among terminally-ill patients' caregivers in Keffi, Nigeria. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended among others that, to meet the challenges of modern day health care institutions in Nigeria, it is important that government should design modern psychological unit or centre in various hospital to carter for the terminally-ill patients' caregiver who are diagnosed with psychological distress and other psychological issues.