Predicting factors for depressive symptoms in family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease : the 3-year ALSOVA follow-up study
Year: 2017
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Generally, family caregivers (FCs) take care of care recipients (CRs) at mild and moderate level of Alzheimer's disease (AD) at home.However, becoming a FC can have diverse and complex consequences, and depressive symptoms are the most prevalent psychological effect.Depression is a major, costly and growing problem in FCs.It not only reduces the quality of life of FCs, but also leads to a decrease in the quality of care received by CRs and puts them at greater risk.Objective: The primary objective of the present study was to find the predicting factors for depressive symptoms in family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease in the 3-year ALSOVA follow-up study. Methods:We analysed the data of FCs (n=236) and persons with AD.The FCs' depressive symptoms were measured using Beck's Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II).Bivariate correlational analysis was conducted to discover the association between demographic and clinical characteristics of the FCs and CRs.Finally, multiple linear regression analysis to determine predicting factors of depressive symptoms in FCs.Results: The study result revealed that FCs' depression was significantly predicted by both FCs and CRs' factors and the occurrence of the factors varied during baseline and follow-up years.FC related factors were gender (p<0.05), and age (p<0.05) at the baseline year; Sense of coherence (SOC) (p<0.01) at baseline, first, second and third follow-up years.And, CR related factors were Neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) (p<0.05) at baseline and third followup year.Whereas, Alzheimer's disease cooperative study -Activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL) (p<0.05) at first and second follow-up years. Conclusions:The study results emphasized the need to recognize at risk group of FCs since the diagnosis of AD in their loved ones as well as in follow-up years.Early diagnosis, initiation of AD therapy and programmes that support vulnerable Family caregivers at home are recommended.
Author: Rai, Seema
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7014770363