Abstract
Deficits in Social Problem Solving (SPS) have been linked to depression in many populations, including college students, cardiac patients, and caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Although research has typically focused on SPS and depressive symptoms within the individual, there is evidence to suggest that deficits in SPS among family caregivers are associated with poorer physical and psychological outcomes in the patients for whom they care. However, to date, no study has examined this relationship while controlling for patients’ own SPS abilities.This study examined the relationship between patient and caregiver SPS and depressive symptoms in families coping with Heart Failure (HF), a condition in which depression is not only common, but is also associated with an increased risk of functional decline and death. It was hypothesized that deficits in caregiver SPS would be significantly associated with depressive symptoms in HF patients, even after controlling for patients’ own SPS abilities. Thirty-two HF patients and their family caregivers completed self-report measures of SPS, functional independence, and depressive symptoms. Results of a Pearson correlation failed to support the hypothesis that caregiver SPS is associated with patient depressive symptoms. However, robust correlations were observed among patient and caregiver SPS abilities. Specifically, caregiver negative problem orientation (NPO) and impulsive/carelessness problemsolving style (ICS) were significantly associated with patient NPO and overall problem-solving deficits. Relationships among other SPS deficits approached statistical significance. These results suggest that additional research is warranted to explore the role of SPS within an emotional system.%%%%M.S., Psychology – Drexel University, 2012
Published Version
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