Resilience of caregivers of people with dementia: a systematic review of biological and psychosocial determinants

Abstract

Introduction: Although caregivers of people with dementia may face difficulties, some positive feelings of caregiving may be associated with resilience. Objective: This study systematically reviewed the definitions, methodological approaches and determinant models associated with resilience among caregivers of people with dementia. Methods: Search for articles published between 2003 and 2014 in ISI, PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO and Lilacs using the search terms resilience, caregivers and dementia. Results and conclusions: Resilience has been defined as positive adaptation to face adversity, flexibility, psychological well-being, strength, healthy life, burden, social network and satisfaction with social support. No consensus was found about the definition of resilience associated with dementia. We classified the determinant variables into biological, psychological and social models. Higher levels of resilience were associated with lower depression rates and greater physical health. Other biological factors associated with higher levels of resilience were older age, African-American ethnicity and female sex. Lower burden, stress, neuroticism and perceived control were the main psychological factors associated with resilience. Social support was a moderating factor of resilience, and different types of support seemed to relieve the physical and mental overload caused by stress.

Communication training interventions for family and professional carers of people living with dementia: a systematic review of effectiveness, acceptability and conceptual basis

“…1 A number of studies have demonstrated that caring for someone living with dementia has the potential to have significant negative effects on carers' physical and emotional health (Gallagher-Thompson et al, 2012). Studies have also indicated that carers can identify positive aspects of their role (Brodaty & Donkin, 2009) and resilience within a caring role has been shown to be linked to factors such as perceived ability to cope, perceived control and social support (Dias et al, 2015;Harmell, Chattillion, Roepke, & Mausbach, 2011). The declining neurological capability of people living with dementia is only one of many factors that may influence the quality of their relationships and communicative interactions (Guendouzi & Savage, 2017).…”

Factors associated with the resilience of family caregivers of persons with dementia: a systematic review

“…The results suggest that low levels of social support have an effect on resilience and are a possible precursor for psychological poverty. Dias et al 21 studied concepts, methodological approaches and determining models related to the resilience of caregivers who work with individuals suffering from dementia. The authors found that high levels of resilience were correlated with low levels of depression and better physical health and concluded that social support was a moderating factor, since depending on a variety of types of support seems to relieve the physical and mental overburden caused by stress.…”

Caregivers’ resilience is independent from the clinical symptoms of dementia

“…The Resilience Scale by Wagnild and Young, is the most-used in dementia research 12 . It has 25 items that measure levels of positive adaption in the face of adverse life events.…”

“…The ratings range from preserved (0-4), mildly impaired (5-11), moderately impaired (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) to absent (over 18) awareness of disease.…”

“…Resilience has been defined as one's capacity for successful adaptation when faced with the stress of adversity 12 . One of the mechanisms by which resilience facilitates adaptation has been described as the ability to identify what is stressful, realistically appraise one's capacity for action, and solve problems effectively 13 .…”