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Predicting longitudinal patterns of psychological distress in older husband caregivers: further analysis of existing data
- Authors:
- LEVESQUE Louise, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(3), May 2008, pp.333-342.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Further analysis of existing data from a previous longitudinal Canadian study of older husband caregivers sought to determine whether primary objective and subjective stressors drawn from Pearlin's model of caregiving could predict three patterns of psychological distress observed in the sample over 1 year: (a) stable high (n = 115), (b) stable low (n = 44), and (c) rising (n = 46). Results of discriminant function analyses show that subjective stressors (level of role overload, role captivity and relational deprivation) at baseline, distinguish the stable low group of husbands from the stable-high. The results suggest that there is considerable stability over time. Many husband caregivers report high-psychological distress and need help, whereas there is a need of preventive interventions to keep psychological distress low. Implications for singular interventions.
Burden on caregivers of older patients with bipolar disorder
- Authors:
- DOLS Annemiek, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 22(5), 2018, pp.686-691.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Available data suggest high burden on caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder (BD), yet the well-being of patients with BD increasingly depends on family members, partners and close friends. As patients with BD get older, the need for informal care may shift. We aimed to describe the caregivers of older adults with BD (OABD) and explore what patients' and caregivers' characteristics are associated with caregiver burden. Method: Forty-seven caregivers of OABD were questioned about their perceived burden and depressive symptoms. Linear regression analyses were performed to examine the influence of various patients' and caregivers' characteristics on caregiver burden or depression. Results: More than half of all caregivers experienced some degree of burden,and 6.4% reported depressive symptoms. The number of psychiatric admissions and social functioning were the only patients' characteristics associated with higher burden. Caregiver burden was significantly associated with caregiver's other obligations. None of the patient or caregiver characteristics was significantly associated with depression in caregivers of OABD. Conclusion: In OABD, even with few residual symptoms, more than half of all caregivers experience substantial burden. Future studies are needed to confirm if improving social functioning and preventing psychiatric hospitalizations decrease the burden on the caregivers of OABD. (Edited publisher abstract)
Stress and spirituality on the depressive symptoms of older adults in assisted living: gender differences
- Authors:
- JUN Jung Sim, LEE Kyoung Hag, BOLIN Brien L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Evidence-Informed Social Work, 12(6), 2015, pp.588-600.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In this study the authors explore the effects of stress and spirituality on the depressive symptoms of 92 older adult men and 224 older adult women who reside in assisted living facilities. Hierarchical regression reveals that stress was related to increases in depressive symptoms. The stress of women was more strongly associated with depressive symptoms than found among men. In contrast, spiritual coping was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms among all older adults in assisted living. The spiritual coping of older adult women was not a significant predictor of decreased depressive symptoms. Through this study the authors support the use of spiritual interventions to alleviate depressive symptoms experienced by older adults in assisted living.
Stressors and caregivers’ depression: multiple mediators of self-efficacy, social support, and problem-solving skill
- Authors:
- TANG Fengyan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 54(7), 2015, pp.651-668.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Caring for an older adult with memory loss is stressful. Caregiver stress could produce negative outcomes such as depression. Previous research is limited in examining multiple intermediate pathways from caregiver stress to depressive symptoms. This study addresses this limitation by examining the role of self-efficacy, social support, and problem solving in mediating the relationships between caregiver stressors and depressive symptoms. Using a sample of 91 family caregivers, the authors tested simultaneously multiple mediators between caregiver stressors and depression. Results indicate that self-efficacy mediated the pathway from daily hassles to depression. Findings point to the importance of improving self-efficacy in psychosocial interventions for caregivers of older adults with memory loss. (Edited publisher abstract)
The Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) is associated with informant stress
- Authors:
- NYGAARD Harald A., NAIK Mala, GEITUNG John T.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24(11), November 2009, pp.1085-1191.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study aimed to assess the association between informant stress and appraisal of patients’ cognitive functioning as reported by the IQCODE, which is designed to measure cognitive changes over time as perceived by an informant. Routinely collected data from a geriatric outpatient department during the period 1995 to 1998 were analysed, and the relationship between IQCODE and categorised Relative Stress Scale (RSS), an instrument to detect stress in caregivers, and informant groups and patient age was studied. The study concluded that IQCODE is associated with informant stress and that categorisation of RSS score into groups of low, intermediate and high risk or psychiatric morbidity can be a valuable contribution to a more meaningful application of RSS in general practice.
The comparison of burden between caregiving spouses of depressive and demented patients
- Authors:
- LEINONEN Esa, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 16(4), April 2001, pp.387-393.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Article compares the burden of the spouses of depressive and demented elderly patients admitted to a Psychogeriatric Clinic in Finland. Found that the spouses of demented patients as a group were psychologically more stressed than the spouses of depressive patients. However, when demented patients were divided into two groups, in those admitted mainly for noncognitive symptoms related to dementia and in those admitted for memory assessment and diagnostic purposes, the burden of the spouses in the former group was higher than that of the group of depressive patients' spouses. No difference was found between the latter group of demented patient spouses and depressive patients' spouses. A correlation was found within both groups between low functional capacity of the patient and the stress of the spouse. In both groups the spouses who felt their own mental health to be poor were more likely to have high levels of burden. Concludes that among the general psychogeriatric patient groups, the caregiving spouses of demented patients with noncognitive psychiatric symptoms are the most burdened group. However, spouses of depressive patients are as much burdened as those of demented patients with mild to moderate memory impairment. More support is needed for every spouse group caring for psychogeriatric patients.
In search of a marital distress model of depression in older marriages
- Authors:
- HARPER J.M., SANDBERG J.G.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 4(3), August 2000, pp.210-222.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In an effort to investigate and describe the interpersonal nature of depression, data on levels of depression, stress, health and marital distress in 535 married couples was analysed. Specifically, the results showed that marital distress was significantly associated with levels of depression for both partners and that wives' distress was also significantly related to husbands' depression. Results also showed, with a few exceptions, that levels of stress and/or health in either partner were directly and indirectly associated with depression for husbands and wives. Implications for clinical practice with and future research on later life couples experiencing depression are discussed.
Depression of older age
- Author:
- COPELAND J.R.M.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 174, April 1999, pp.304-306.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This article introduces the first set of publications from the EURPDEP collaboration, presented in five accompanying papers this issue. The EURODEP Consortium is a Concerted Action Programme funded by the European Commission (EC) with the following objectives: to study the variation of the prevalence of depression in Europe among people aged 65 and over; to compare the clinical features and the mode of presentation of depression in each centre; and where possible to study the social support networks, adverse life events, daily life stresses and other risk factors and the reasons for failure to receive treatment in primary care.
Older parents who care for children with serious mental illness
- Author:
- KAUFMAN Allan V.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 29(4), 1998, pp.35-55.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper discusses the results of an exploratory study of a sample of older parents who lived with and provided care to adult children with serious mental illness in the USA. A majority of the parents reported high levels of social support from relatives and friends, and appeared to be coping adequately with the stress associated with their care giving activities. Most of the parents had made no concrete plans or arrangements for the future care of their seriously mentally ill children.
Crime-related post-traumatic stress disorder in elderly psychiatric patients: a case series
- Authors:
- SIMPSON Steve, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 11(10), October 1996, pp.879-882.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Previous research has shown that fear of crime among the elderly is very common, and being a victim is not uncommon. There have been no descriptions of the impact of crimes on the mental health of the victims. In this study, 350 psychiatric patients were screened for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). One hundred of the patients had been victims, and five of the victims (5%) had PTSD. Their clinical characteristics are described. In this series most crimes were not complicated by PTSD.