Coping strategies among caregivers of people with Alzheimer disease: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction Caregivers of people with Alzheimer disease (PwAD) report significant stress, burden and depression compared to caregivers of people with other dementias, especially when neuropsychiatric symptoms are prominent. Adequate coping strategies can modify the impact of stressful situations and increase the caregivers’ quality of life. Objective To systematically review the different coping strategies used by caregivers of PwAD to manage neuropsychiatric symptoms. Method We carried out electronic searches using MEDLINE (PubMed), SciELO, Web of Knowledge Cross Search (Thomson Scientific/ISI Web Services) and PsycINFO databases to select studies on coping in PwAD caregivers published from January 2005 to July 2017. The search terms were coping, caregivers, strategy, onset, adaptation, family, behavior, dementia and Alzheimer. The studies were organized in three categories: problem-focused, emotion-focused and dysfunctional coping strategies. Results We found 2,277 articles. After application of exclusion criteria and exclusion of redundant references, 24 articles were analyzed. Emotion-focused coping was the most commonly used strategy among PwAD caregivers. The use of this strategy associated with religion and spirituality may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Problem-focused coping strategies were mostly used with active coping interventions. Problem-solving coping may have buffered the impact of acute psychological stressors on procoagulant activity. Dysfunctional coping strategies were associated with increase of caregiver burden. Conclusion The evaluated studies showed that the use and development of coping strategies may have ameliorated the depressive symptoms, anxiety and burden of caregivers. However, longitudinal studies are still needed that clearly describe the type of coping strategy used in relation to the presented results.

Process and Outcomes: the Influence of Gains in Knowledge and Socioemotional Skills on Caregivers’ Well-being

“…Researchers have suggested that intervention programs for caregivers should focus on facilitating access to information, teaching constructive coping strategies for dealing with stress, and developing skills that favor a healthier relationship between the caregiver and the elderly care recipient (De Cola et al 2017;Pinto et al 2016;Queluz et al 2018;Queluz et al 2019b;Simonetti and Ferreira 2008) aiming to preserve the caregivers' mental and socioemotional health (Monteiro et al 2018). The ComTato program was developed to include all these components.…”

“…Not surprisingly, the ability to use constructive coping strategies to adapt to new demands is one of the strongest predictors of mental and socioemotional health for people of all ages (Gilhooly et al 2016;Monteiro, Santos, Kimura, Baptista and Dourado, 2018). For those caring for an elderly relative with health problems, being able to cope positively with the many problems that arise and being able to count on other people to play a supportive role are essential to maintaining their overall wellbeing (Ximenes 2018).…”

Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychosocial Morbidity in Anorectal Malformation and Hirschsprung's Disease

“…64 Others proved that emotion-focused (e.g., accepting, optimism, seeking emotional support) and problem-focused (e. g., planning, seeking medical support) coping strategies were positively correlated with HrQoL of patients and their caregivers. [65][66][67] Finally, continued and regular follow-up and multidisciplinary medical support play an essential role in improving the HrQoL of patients. It is well recognized that fecal incontinence, soiling, and constipation are short-and long-term issues in patients with ARM/HD, which significantly alter HrQoL.…”

Quality of life in early‐stage Alzheimer's disease: the moderator role of family variables and coping strategies from the patients' perspective

“…21,25 In patients with AD, family variables and coping strategies have been shown to affect QOL, providing a protective effect for patients and their caregivers. 23,26,27 Therefore, it is important to assess whether family variables and coping strategies play a moderator role in patients with AD.…”