Sleep Disturbance, Psychological Distress and Perceived Burden in Female Family Caregivers of Dependent Patients with Dementia: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

This case-control study analyzed the sleep disturbance, psychological distress and perceived burden in female family caregivers of dependent people with dementia (n = 74) compared with female family caregivers of dependent people without dementia (n = 74) and with age-matched non-caregiver control females (n = 74). Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) and an ad hoc questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data. There were significant differences between the groups in PSQI total (F = 24.93; p < 0.001), psychological distress (F = 26.71; p < 0.001) and in all sleep domains assessed: subjective sleep quality (F = 16.19; p < 0.001), sleep latency (F = 9.5; p< 0.001), sleep duration (F = 18.57; p < 0.001), habitual sleep efficiency (F= 19.77; p < 0.001), sleep disturbances (F = 9.22; p < 0.001), use of sleep medications (F= 4.24; p< 0.01) and daytime dysfunction (F = 5.57; p < 0.01). In all measures, the female family caregivers of dependent people with dementia showed the significantly higher mean scores. Regarding the two groups of female caregivers, statistically significant differences were found in daily hours of care (t = −2.45; p < 0.05) and perceived burden (t = −3.65; p < 0.001), as well as in the following dimensions of caregiver burden: time-dependence burden (t = −5.09; p < 0.001), developmental burden (t = −2.42; p < 0.05) and physical burden (t = −2.89; p < 0.01). These findings suggest that female family caregivers of dependent patients with dementia should be subject to psychopathological screening and preventive cognitive-behavioral interventions in clinical practice in primary health care.

Factorial Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in Non-Professional Caregivers

“…This could be because caregivers' sleep problems have an impact on the caregiving tasks they perform, as a result of lower concentration, more mistakes, and reduced patience, which increases caregivers' perception of burden. These results are consistent with those found in previous studies of caregiver populations using the PSQI [7,55] and an insomnia diagnostic interview [6]. On the other hand, a significant positive correlation was found between lower sleep quality and greater psychological distress, indicating a relationship between PSQI and possible mental health problems (anxiety and depression) in caregivers.…”

“…In addition, sleep disturbances are common among non-professional caregivers, often linked to the sleep disturbances or nighttime behaviors of the care recipient [5]. Previous studies have reported that 41.0% of caregivers experience insomnia [6] and 76.1% suffer from poor sleep quality [7]. Sleep quality refers to a complex construct that includes quantitative aspects of sleep such as sleep duration, sleep latency, and sleep efficiency, as well as subjective aspects, such as restfulness of sleep or daytime dysfunction [8].…”

Assessing a Sleep Interviewing Chatbot to Improve Subjective and Objective Sleep: Protocol for an Observational Feasibility Study

“…Moreover, neurodegenerative disorders affect not only patients but their entire households, especially the primary carer. Indeed, studies [13][14][15][16] have shown that approximately two-thirds of older adult caregivers have some form of sleep disturbance. Thus, early intervention of sleep disorders among older adults can improve their quality of life, reduce their risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders, and prevent further complications among household members.…”

Calidad de sueño y síntomas de estrés en mujeres universitarias mexicanas durante la pandemia de covid-19

“…Con el uso del Inventario SiSCo del Estrés Académico y de una ficha sociodemográfica, se pudieron determinar reacciones comunes en los niveles de estrés elevados que perjudican el rendimiento académico, el bienestar psicológico y la calidad de vida (Estrada et al, 2021). Simón et al (2022) destacan la importancia de llevar a cabo investigaciones en el ámbito internacional sobre la calidad de sueño y el estrés generados en la pandemia de covid-19 para comprender la magnitud del fenómeno, con el fin de crear intervenciones para mejorar la salud mental de la población. Además, la OMS (2022) indica que la promoción de la salud mental y del sueño saludable son de gran relevancia para mantener un equilibrio y bienestar en el desarrollo personal y comunitario.…”