Depressive symptoms in caregivers of patients with dementia: demographic variables and burden

Abstract

ObjectiveIndividuals suffering from dementia are affected by a progressive and significant global deterioration and, consequently, might require longer assistance in the advanced stage of the illness. The illness is a great burden on the person who takes care of a patient, namely, the caregiver. This study aims to analyze the presence and relationship of specific sociodemographic variables, subjective burden, and depressive symptoms among caregivers of patients with dementia.MethodsThe participants of this study were caregivers at a health care unit for the elderly in southern Italy. An evaluation of the burden of patients with dementia on caregivers was carried out using the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) and depressive symptoms using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS).ResultsA total of 150 caregivers completed the study. In all, 83 (55%) caregivers showed a total CBI score ≥36, of whom 70% showed pathological depression scores in SDS. According to SDS, 28 (19%) caregivers showed a total CBI score from 24 to 36, of whom 32% were depressed. Depression was present in 5% of the caregivers whose CBI score was <24. Hence, an association between burden and depression was evident (χ2=47.446, P<0.001). A multiple linear regression analysis showed that depression (adjusted R2=0.622, F=50.123, P<0.001) was associated with higher physical (β=0.666, P=0.001) and developmental (β=0.712, P<0.001) burdens, lower socioeconomic status (β=−4.282; P=0.002), higher level of urbanicity (β=3.070; P=0.012), and advanced age (β=2.132; P=0.08).ConclusionOur study confirms the presence of depressive symptoms in a large number of caregivers with high burden. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that depressive symptoms are mainly associated with sociodemographic variables and, to a lesser degree, physical and developmental burdens.

Community perceptions about dementia in southwestern Uganda

“…Caregiving was reported to cause social isolation, anger, irritability, fatigue, and suicidal ideation. Prior studies have also shown a high risk of depressive symptoms [20] and social isolation [21,22] in caregivers of PWD. Notably, participants in the present study did not identify any positive aspects of caregiving such as companionship, self-esteem, personal growth, or the satisfaction of helping others, which have been reported in the literature [23,24].…”

“…Since we did not ask specifically about positive aspects of care giving, this could partially represent ascertainment bias. However, it also likely reflects high levels of caregiver stress in our population, which had high levels of caregiver burden risk factors including depression, social isolation, low socio-economic status, and lack of choice in being a caregiver [20,21]. In other settings, caregiver support groups have proved to be effective in enhancing caregiver quality of life [25], and should be included as part of any future interventions to improve dementia care in local communities [26].…”

Analise Da Probabilidade Para Transtorno Mental Com Um Entre Cuidadores De Idosos Do Sudeste Goiano

“…Outros autores também relatam a feminização do cuidado. Na Itália, em um estudo de corte transversal com 150 cuidadores de idosos, os resultados apresentaram um perfil de cuidadores predominantemente do sexo feminino (78%), idade > d e 50 anos (56%), estado conjugal casado (86%) e escolaridade: ensino fundamental a médio (42%) (FAZIO et al, 2015).…”

Fear, Guilt and Shame in the Pre-Senior Offspring of Individuals Suffering from MidStage Dementia and Beyond

“…Furthermore, current research suggests dementia caregivers often suffer from anxiety, depression and physical ills [9][10][11]. Research also indicates that those providing informal care for persons stricken with dementia related disorders many times, offspring are also prone toward mental anguish, depression and even suicidal ideations [12][13][14].…”