1123 Sleep, Caregiver Burden, and Life Satisfaction in Parkinson’s Disease Caregivers from Mexico and the US

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Sleep problems are frequently reported by caregivers of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and are associated with greater caregiver burden and poorer caregiver life satisfaction. The primary aim of this study was to examine the pattern of associations among PD patient and caregiver sleep problems, caregiver burden, and life satisfaction in PD caregivers. A secondary aim was to assess whether the pattern of associations differed between Mexican and US caregivers. Methods Secondary analyses were performed on data obtained from 253 caregivers (age M=59.92, SD=14.66). A composite score was produced for caregiver and patient sleep problems. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) measured caregiver burden and life satisfaction, respectively. A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to examine the pattern of associations among sleep problems, caregiver burden, and life satisfaction. An invariance design was employed to assess differences in the associations between Mexican and US caregivers. Results Fit indices suggested the SEM fit the data adequately. Path coefficients among all variables were significant (p≤.005), except between patient sleep problems and life satisfaction. Three significant indirect effects were found: caregiver sleep problems were negatively associated with life satisfaction via caregiver burden (p=.003); patient sleep problems were positively related to caregiver burden via caregiver sleep problems (p=.005); and life satisfaction via caregiver burden and caregiver sleep problems (p=.002). Despite noninvariance of error terms for the ZBI (z=2.92) and SWLS (z=3.37) between Mexican and US caregivers, the model was generally invariant across countries. Conclusion Patient sleep problems were associated with caregiver sleep problems, leading to increased burden in caregivers and poorer life satisfaction. The findings highlight a potential opportunity for empirically-supported sleep interventions in both individuals with PD and their caregivers which may initiate a cascade of salubrious effects on caregiver burden and overall life satisfaction. Support Dr. Dzierzewski’s effort on this project was supported in part by the National Institute on Aging (K23AG049955 to J.M.D).