Work

Frontotemporal Dementia: The Impact of Patient Behavioral Symptoms on the Physical and Mental Health of Family Caregivers

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Providing informal support to someone with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) could be very stressful. Clarifying the relationship between patient behavioral problems and caregiver health could spur future research on effective symptom management strategies. METHODS: Sixty-one FTD family caregivers participated in a postal survey. RESULTS: Patient symptom severity was negatively associated with caregiver mental health (r = -0.26, p < 0.05) but not significantly associated with caregiver physical health. In a regression analysis, caregiver emotional distress from patient behaviors made a statistically significant contribution to caregiver mental health, explaining approximately 10% of its variance. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the importance of focusing on FTD caregivers' perceived emotional distress from patient behavioral problems and ensuring they are getting the appropriate support they need.

Source: Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra

DOI: 10.1159/000345082

Authors: Cindy C. Wong, Margaret I. Wallhagen

Institutions: Dominican University of California, University of California, San Francisco

Language: English

Topic: Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,670