The role of compassion, suffering, and intrusive thoughts in dementia caregiver depression

Abstract

Objectives Exposure to suffering of a relative or friend increases the risk for psychological and physical morbidity. However, little is known about the mechanisms that account for this effect. We test a theoretical model that identifies intrusive thoughts as a mediator of the relation between perceived physical and psychological suffering of the care recipient and caregiver depression. We also assess the role of compassion as a moderator of the relation between perceived suffering and intrusive thoughts. Methods Hispanic and African American caregivers (N = 108) of persons with dementia were assessed three times within a one-year period. Using multilevel modeling, we assessed the mediating role of intrusive thoughts in the relation between perceived physical and psychological suffering and CG depression, and we tested moderated mediation to assess the role of caregiver compassion in the relation between perceived suffering and intrusive thoughts. Results The effects of perceived physical suffering on depression were completely mediated through intrusive thoughts, and compassion moderated the relation between physical suffering and intrusive thoughts. Caregivers who had greater compassion reported more intrusive thoughts even when perceived physical suffering of the CR was low. For perceived psychological suffering, the effects of suffering on depression were partially mediated through intrusive thoughts. Discussion Understanding the role of intrusive thoughts and compassion in familial relationships provides new insights into mechanisms driving caregiver well-being and presents new opportunities for intervention.

Well-being in dementia: a cross-sectional dyadic study of the impact of multiple dimensions of strain on persons living with dementia and their family care partners

“…Other stressors and strains that have been found to impact well-being include strain from the disease itself (e.g. extent of cognitive impairment) (Buckley et al, 2012, Dawson et al,2013, Logsdon et al, 2002), relationship strain or poor relationship quality between the CP and PWD (Häusler et al, 2016, Fauth et al, 2012, Moon et al, 2016), the CP’s perceptions of physical and psychological suffering in the PWD (Schulz et al, 2017), and the amount of difficulty the CP has in finding meaning in providing care to the PWD (Quinn et al, 2010).…”

“…Dementia is often considered to be a threat to an individual’s well-being, whether that individual is the person who receives a dementia diagnosis (Stites et al, 2017, Orgeta et al,2015,Nagpal et al, 2014) or the family member who provides the majority of informal dementia care (Schulz et al, 2017, Cunningham et al, 2018). Multiple stressors and strains arising from the dementia context have been examined for their potential to threaten the well-being of either the person with dementia (PWD) or the family care partner (CP) (Buckley et al, 2012, Fauth et al, 2012, Judge et al, 2010).…”

Compassion Fatigue and perceived of social support among polish nurses

“…Compassion is an important and necessary element in providing professional patient care [1]. Health care professionals such as nurses are regularly exposed to contact with violence, suffering and death.…”

Taking the responsibility in dementia care: A concept analysis about facticity

“…It has been shown that caregivers who had greater compassion reported more intrusive thoughts even when perceived physical suffering of the demented older person was low. Being a highly compassionate caregiver has negative effects, although higher levels of caregiver compassion likely reflect a high‐quality relationship with the demented older person and is an important factor in the caregiving process (Schulz, Savla, Czaja, & Monin, ).…”