Anger and Dementia Caregiving: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Anger and Hostility on Caregivers’ Physical Health

Abstract

Background: Anger is commonly experienced by family caregivers of people living with dementia yet its effect on caregivers’ physical health remains unknown. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to systematically review current evidence on the effects of anger and hostility on caregivers’ physical health. Methods: We searched Medline, EMBASE, PubMed, and PsycINFO up to January 2022. Two review authors independently extracted data on study characteristics, study quality, and effect sizes of associations of anger and hostility with caregiver health outcomes. Results: We found eight studies examining the effects of anger and hostility on caregivers’ physical health reporting on a total of 937 participants, of which four were cross-sectional and four were longitudinal. Overall findings indicated that higher levels of anger and hostility exerted a negative effect on caregivers’ physical health. Higher anger control was longitudinally associated with increased weight gain (β= 1.13, p < 0.001), whereas higher anger out predicted higher glucose dysregulation at long-term follow-up (r = 0.27, p < 0.05). Higher levels of caregiver hostility were associated with increased risk of chronic low-grade inflammation long-term (r = 0.18, p < 0.05), and increased risk of cognitive decline over time (r = –0.16, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our review provides the first systematic synthesis of the evidence demonstrating the harmful effects of anger and hostility on dementia caregivers’ health and highlights the need for preventative interventions to support family caregivers experiencing high levels of anger.

Examination of Factors Associated With Informal Caregivers’ Reactions to Different Problem Behaviors Among Persons With Alzheimer’s Disease

“…The psychological, physical, financial, and emotional challenges associated with family caregiving for persons living with dementia (PLWD) are well documented. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Compared with other caregivers, family caregivers of PLWD have a wider range of responsibilities, including helping with activities of daily living (ADL), managing finances, arranging outside services, communicating with health care professionals, and managing more mental health issues and behavioral problems, reported higher burden. 5 Among the responsibilities that family caregivers of PLWD tend to, managing behavioral problems is one of the most challenging tasks.…”

Elder abuse: The roles of communication neglect, caregiver expressed anger, and a positive pre-morbid relational history

“…Anger-related emotions and expression of anger are perhaps the least understood affective reaction compared to other types of emotions (Crespo & Fernández-Lansac, 2014). Family caregivers may be hesitant to admit to experiencing anger with their care receiver due to a feeling of guilt or shame (See et al, 2022). In this case, experienced anger may manifest itself in subtle ways such as passivity suggested in silent treatment as discussed above (Vitaliano et al, 1993).…”