Mediation of family dynamics, personal strengths, and mental health in dementia caregivers.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to use structural equation modeling (SEM) to investigate the role of family dynamics and personal strengths in the mental health of dementia caregivers from Latin America. A sample of 110 dementia caregivers from Argentina completed measures of these constructs. It was hypothesized that personal strengths would mediate the relationship between family dynamics and caregiver mental health. An SEM uncovered that these constructs were all positively related, and a second SEM found extremely strong support for the study's hypothesis, as personal strengths fully mediated the relationship between family dynamics and caregiver mental health. A bivariate correlation matrix then notably found that the family dynamics variables were most associated with caregiver sense of coherence, resilience, anxiety, and satisfaction with life. The results of the current study suggest that caregiver interventions in Latin America may benefit from including family centered and cognitive-behavioral approaches as a means of boosting existing personal strengths, which in turn may have a positive effect on caregiver mental health.

Intergenerational family relationships and the impact of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD): a qualitative longitudinal study

“…Blame, particularly, emerged when family relationships became strained, towards the person with the diagnosis or wider family members. These findings echo other studies identifying the protective value of supportive families to primary care-givers of people with dementia or, alternatively, the increased experience of burden to primary care-givers where conflict and poor cohesion exists (Tremont et al, 2006;Trujillo et al, 2016;Deist and Greeff, 2017). However, it cannot be assumed that a previously positive relationship will guarantee adaptation to bvFTD, as consistent with previous research, two of our families experienced considerable grief in the face of the changes and a loss of the relationship as it was (Fauth et al, 2012;Wadham et al, 2016).…”

“…There are limitations to this research. Firstly, most has focused on spousal couples, with minimal attention to the broader range of family relationships, even though a small body of research suggests that relationships within whole families are important (Sutter et al, 2014;Trujillo et al, 2016). Secondly, to capture complexity, researchers must explore a range of family relationships (Fauth et al, 2012;Lin et al, 2012;Bielsten and Hellström, 2019).…”

A systematic review and psychometric evaluation of resilience measurement scales for people living with dementia and their carers

“…Linear regression of the personal strength measures found resilience predicted mental health (β = -0.25, p < 0.05), but the negative direction of the association is in contrast to the authors hypothesis. The results partially confirm the hypotheses Trujillo et al [ 68 ] (To use structural equation modelling (SEM) to investigate the role of family dynamics and personal strengths in the mental health of dementia caregivers from Latin America) N = 110 carers; n = 83 female, mean age = 57.20 (SD = 13.47). Main relationship to person with dementia – spouse ( n = 54), children ( n = 50).…”

Sense of coherence, burden and mental health in caregiving: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Of these 34 were published studies (Andrén and Elmståhl, 2008;Bias, 1998;Bowe, 2003;Caap-Ahlgren and Dehlin, 2002;Coe et al, 1991;Chumbler et al, 2004;Dejo Vásquez, 2007;Fan et al, 2014;Forsberg-Warleby et al, 2002;Gallagher et al, 1994;Götze et al, 2015;Gustavsson-Lilius et al, 2012;Hiyoshi-Taniguchi et al, 2014;Hsiao and Tsai, 2015;Jaracz et al, 2015;Jaracz et al, 2014;Lo Sterzo and Orgeta, 2017;Matsushita et al, 2014;Michailidou et al, 2013;Olsson and Hwang, 2002;Orgeta and Lo Sterzo, 2013;Perrin et al, 2008;Shroff, 2014;Suresky et al, 2014;Sutter et al, 2016;Tang et al, 2013;Thompson et al, 2004;Trujillo et al, 2016;Truong, 2015;Välimäki et al, 2009;Van Puymbroeck et al, 2008;Weimand et al, 2010;Wu et al, 2015;Zauszniewski and Suresky, 2010), and one was unpublished (López-Martínez, 2016). Across the 35 included studies there were 40 independent samples with 22 independent comparisons of SOC with subjective burden, 26 with depressive symptoms and 7 with symptoms of anxiety.…”