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A pilot study on perceived stress and PTSD symptomatology in relation to four dimensions of older women’s physical health
- Authors:
- LAGANA Luciana, REGER Stacy L.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 13(6), November 2009, pp.885-893.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study examines the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology and stress of a non-traumatic nature on the physical well-being of older women. The subjects, 53 community living ethnically diverse women aged 65-105, were interviewed using various instruments including the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey, the Brief Posttraumatic Stress Screening Scale, and the Older Women’s Perceived Stress beyond Health Status Scale. The results indicated that perceived stress was a significant predictor of lower levels of general health but not of role limitations or physical functioning. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology predicted more limitations in role fulfilment and to a lesser extent impaired physical functioning, but not lower levels of general health. The authors conclude that posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology and perceived stress might alter older women’s physical health dimensions differentially, and that further research is required.
Stress processes in caring for an end-of-life family member: application of a theoretical model
- Authors:
- BAINBRIDGE Daryl, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 13(4), July 2009, pp.537-545.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study examined a wide range of theory-driven variables contributing to family caregiver stress. Data variables from interviews with primary family caregivers were mapped onto the factors within the Stress Process Model theoretical framework. A hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the strongest predictors of caregiver strain as measured by a validated composite index, the Caregiver Strain Index. The study included 132 family caregivers across south-central/western Ontario, Canada. About half of these caregivers experienced high strain, the extent of which was predicted by lower perceived program accessibility, lower functional social support, greater weekly amount of time caregivers committed to the care recipient, younger caregiver age and poorer caregiver self-perceived health. This study examined the influence of a multitude of factors in the Stress Process Model on family caregiver strain, finding stress to be a multidimensional construct. Perceived program accessibility was the strongest predictor of caregiver strain, more so than intensity of care, highlighting the importance of the availability of community resources to support the family caregiving role.
Cognitive, functional and behavioral factors associated with the burden of caring for geriatric patients with cognitive impairment or depression: evidence from a South American sample
- Authors:
- MACHNICKI Gerard, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24(4), April 2009, pp.382-389.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Primary caregivers assessed were included if the geriatric patient cared for had a cognitive impairment or dementia (degenerative, vascular or mixed) (Group 1) or depression and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) (Group 2). Caregivers completed the Zarit questionnaire, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Patients were evaluated for dementia severity using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to assess measurement models and the factors associated with burden. Two hundred and fifty-eight caregiver-patient pairs were included. The best model fit was obtained with a model with two constructs: function-cognition (CDR, MMSE, and IADL) and behaviour (neuropsychiatric symptoms from the NPI). In Group 1, both function and behaviour were significantly correlated with caregiver burden, although the strength of association was more than two times higher for behaviour. In Group 2, behaviour was related to caregiver burden but not function-cognition. These findings suggest that behavioural symptoms are an important factor associated with caregiver burden in patients with cognitive impairment, dementia, or depression, while functional and cognitive factors seem to also have an influence in patients with cognitive impairment.
Perceived caregiver burden in India: implications for social services
- Authors:
- GUPTA Rashmi, ROWE Nancy, PILLAI Vijayan K.
- Journal article citation:
- Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, 24(1), February 2009, pp.69-79.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study explores the influences of selected social and social psychological factors that are associated with perceived caregiver burden in a sample of 263 primary caregivers of the elderly in Allahabad City in northern India. The results indicate that although male caregivers' perceived burden depends only on the size of the role overload, female caregivers' perceived burden depends on the interrelationship between the size of the role overload and adherence to Asian cultural norms. Implications of the findings for social work are discussed.
Daughters as caregivers of aging parents: the shattering myth
- Author:
- RON Pnina
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 52(2), February 2009, pp.135-153.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This research study examines adult daughters’ measures of copying in their roles as caregivers of ageing parents. It investigates the model devised by Pearlin et al which presents the mental health of caregiver daughters as a function of demographic variables, role burden and stresses resulting from other relationships within the family, as well as personality variables such as mastery and self-esteem. The study examined 224 working women in Israel, and included questionnaires to measure stresses and burdens of being a caregiver and within the nuclear family, mastery over life, self-esteem, gender role orientation, and mental health. The results provided validation of the assumptions in Pearlin’s stress coping model. Two specific findings were that daughters with masculine traits felt a higher level of mental wellbeing, and also that family support provided a higher level of mental well-being for the daughter.
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.
Do improvements in emotional distress correlate with becoming more mindful? A study of older adults
- Authors:
- SPLEVINS Kate, SMITH Alistair, SIMPSON Jane
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 13(3), May 2009, pp.328-335.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The study aimed (1) to investigate changes in older adults' emotional wellbeing (specifically depression, anxiety and stress levels) and mindful ability following a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) course; (2) to explore correlations between mindfulness (measured as an overall ability and as individual components; observe, describe, act with awareness and accept without judgement) and changes in depression, anxiety and stress levels. Twenty-two participants took an eight-week MBCT course. Levels of depression, anxiety and stress were recorded pre- and post-intervention, as was mindfulness ability (measured both as an overall ability and as individual components). Significant improvements in emotional wellbeing and mindfulness were reported post-MBCT, with large to moderate effect sizes. Increased mindfulness was moderately and significantly associated with improved emotional wellbeing. Increases on all four components of mindfulness were positively associated with greater emotional wellbeing, however only act with awareness and accept without judgement were significantly correlated (with reduced depression). Older adults in the sample reported higher scores on observe and act with awareness than other populations.
Psychodynamic observation and emotional mapping. A tool for continuing professional development and research in services for older people
- Author:
- DAVENHILL Rachael
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(1), March 2009, pp.32-39.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
This article looks at how psychoanalytic and systems theory can be used to understand the pressures for individual practitioners and for organisations working with older people. Psychodynamic observation and emotional mapping (POEM) is a professional development (CPD), supervisory research process, which works from the 'inside out'. It aims to ensure that staff experience is placed at the heart of understanding meaningful, relationship-centred care in the workplace. Central to this process is the assumption that feelings occurring 'under the surface' in both staff and patients are important channels of communication impacting on staff, care practice and the service setting. The POEM approach facilitates the digestion and understanding of both conscious and unconscious processes in the workplace. It also contributes to a healthier, more open workplace.
Resources, stressors and psychological distress among older adults in Chennai, India
- Author:
- CHOKKANATHAN Srinivasan
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 68(2), January 2009, pp.243-250.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Scant information exists on the complex interaction between resources and stressors and their subsequent influence on the psychological distress of older adults in India. Within the framework of resource theory, the present study examined the various pathways through which resources and stressors influence psychological distress by testing four models – the independence model, the stress-suppression model, the counteractive model and the resource-deterioration model. The independence model posits that resources and stressors have a direct relationship with psychological distress. The stress-suppression model hypothesizes that stressors mediate the influence of resources on psychological distress. The counteractive model postulates that stressors mobilize resources, which in turn influence psychological distress. The resource-deterioration model states that stressors deplete resources and subsequently exacerbate distress. In the present study, resources include social support, religiosity and mastery; stressors include life events, abuse and health problems. Psychological distress was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale and Geriatric Depression Scale. Interviews were conducted among 400 adults aged 65 years and above, randomly selected from the electoral list of urban Chennai, India. The battery of instruments was translated into Tamil (local language) by back-translation. Structural Equation Modeling was conducted to test the three models. The results supported the stress-suppressor model. Resources had an indirect, negative relationship with psychological distress, and stressors had a direct, positive effect on distress. As such there is a need to identify and strengthen the resources available to older adults in India.
in the face of fear: how fear and anxiety affect our health and society, and what we can do about it
- Author:
- HALLIWELL Ed
- Publisher:
- Mental Health Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 55p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Research suggests that we are becoming more fearful as a nation. A survey indicated that people perceive our world as having become more frightening and frightened. The Government’s Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys, published in February 2009, show significant increases in anxiety disorders between 1993 and 2007. The Mental Health Foundation believes these trends are linked. The more fearful people feel in the general population, the more people will be tipped over into diagnosable anxiety disorders. Key findings from the survey show that fear is a feature of nearly all mental health problems. It is also strongly linked to poor physical health and unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking and poor diet. Thirty seven per cent of people in a survey say they get frightened or anxious more often than they used to, compared to 28% who disagree, and 77% of people believe people in general are more frightened and anxious than they used to be. Younger people also consistently report greater fear than older people. This report recommends a mental health promotion strategy that addresses fear and anxiety. We need to target the whole population with education and awareness-raising to improve people’s ability to recognise and manage feelings and thoughts and how they affect behaviour.