General and specific events and depressive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease caregivers

Abstract

Daily unpleasant and pleasant events and specific unpleasant caregiving events were examined in relation to depression in 93 caregivers of demented patients. This study differs from previous research on caregivers in that itfocuses on general events (hassles) in addition to specific caregiving events (hassles). Even after controlling for specific unpleasant caregiving events, general unpleasant and pleasant events accountedfor additional variance in depressive symptomatology. The results are discussed in terms of their importance for treatment of caregiver depression.

The Effect of Dementia Patient’s Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional/ Behavioral Problems on Caregiver Well-Being: Findings From a Spanish-Speaking Sample From Colombia, South America

“…As with burden, previous research examining very specific problems of patients with dementia indicates that neurobehavioral problems are associated with caregiver depression. 50,82,84,86,[102][103][104][105][106][107] The findings from the present study coincide with prior research. In contrast, 2 studies did not find an association between behavioral problems of patients with dementia and caregiver depression.…”

A pilot study of immune and mood outcomes of a community-based intervention for dementia caregivers: The PLST intervention

“…Current investigative efforts have shifted to the identification of factors mediating distress among caregivers and evaluation of interventions designed to reduce caregiver burden (Drebing, 1999). Given that a number of studies show that the frequency of behavioral disturbance exhibited by persons with dementia is the strongest predictor of caregiver burden and/or depression (Bedard, Molloy, Pedlar, Lever, & Stones, 1997;Chappell & Penning, 1996;Coen, Swanwick, O'Boyle, & Coakley, 1997;Cook, Peason, & Ahrens, 1997;Levesque, Cossette, & Laurin, 1995;Pruchno & Resch, 1980;Song, Biegel, & Milligan, 1997;Streuning et al, 1995;Stuckey, Neundorfer, & Smyth, 1996;Teri, 1997;Williamson & Schulz, 1993), it is imperative that a body of knowledge regarding effective behavioral management techniques for persons with dementia be developed and systematically evaluated.…”

Perceived stigma in caregivers of persons with dementia and its impact on depressive symptoms

“…A cluster of factors predicts the incidence and severity of caregiver depression, based on different characteristics of PwD and their caregivers as well as environmental conditions. Higher frequency of problem behaviors, greater functional impairment and less social support are associated with elevated depression (Buhr et al, 2006;Clyburn et al, 2000;Cook et al, 1997;Hooker et al, 2002;Levesque et al, 1995;Molyneux et al, 2008). Female caregivers and caregivers who reside with the PwD are known to have higher levels of depression (Chumbler et al, 2003;Gallicchio et al, 2002).…”

“…The incidence and severity of caregiver depression has been reported based on the different characteristics of PwD and their caregivers as well as environmental conditions. Higher frequency of problem behaviors, greater functional impairments and less social support are associated with elevated depression (Buhr, Kuchibhatla, & Clipp, 2006;Clyburn, Stones, Hadjistavropoulos, & Tuokko, 2000;Cook, Pearson, & Ahrens, 1997;Levesque, Cossetle, & Laurin, 1995;Molyneux, McCarthy, McEniff, Cryan, & Conroy, 2008). Female caregivers and caregivers who reside with PwD are known to have higher levels of depression (Chumbler, Grimm, Cody, & Beck, 2003;Gallicchio, Siddiqi, Langenberg, & Baumgarten, 2002;Papastavrou, Kalokerinou, Papacostas, Tsangari, & Sourtzi, 2007).…”