Core self-evaluation and depression among caregivers of Alzheimer disease patients

Abstract

IntroductionCaregivers of Alzheimer Disease (AD) patients suffer from chronic stress and psychophysical burden, which often lead to depression symptoms. It seems that core self-evaluation (CSE), coping with stress and social support might be modifying factors in coping with situation of caregiving.AimsThe aims of the study were to examine: (1) level of depression; (2) relationships between CSE, style of coping with stress, social functioning and depression severity among caregivers.MethodsThe study involved 60 caregivers of AD patients who were children of the sick and have been caring for at least one year. It was cross-sectional and assessed by questionnaires. Following tools were used: Core Self-Evaluation, Beck Depression Inventory, Coping Inventory for Stress Situations, Distress Thermometer and an original questionnaire assessing the situation of caregiving.ResultsA total of 51.7% of responders demonstrated severity of depression symptoms, associated to at least one mild clinical depression episode. The factors introduced to the model explained 65% variance of depression symptoms. Predictors of greater depression symptoms proved to be: low CSE (ΔR2 = 0.32; β = −0.12), low social support (ΔR2 = 0.08; β = −0.27), low life satisfaction (ΔR2 = 0.02, β = −0.26), high levels of distress (ΔR2 = 0.12, β = 0.31), coping style focused on emotions (ΔR2 = 0.12, β = 0.17).ConclusionsIn the area of caregivers’ psychological assistance and depression therapy, interventions leading to increase of CSE and providing adequate social support that contributes to better care provision and maintaining proper self-image, should be taken into consideration.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.