Factors influencing depression in primary caregivers of patients with dementia in China: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study aims to estimate the prevalence and factors of depression in primary caregivers of people with dementia in China, based on a biopsychosocial medical model. A sample of 285 caregiver-patient dyads was recruited from a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Nanjing, between December 2018 and November 2019. The prevalence of depression among primary caregivers of people with dementia was 42.8%. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed that caregivers’ gender (OR=4.692), social support (OR=0.131), health condition (OR=12.994), extraversion (OR=0.102) and neuroticism (OR=2.978) were predictive of depression in those caregivers. Of the above, health condition was the major factor associated with caregiver's depression. The Box-Tidwell method was used to show a linear relationship between continuous independent variables and dependent variable logit conversion values (p = 0.0045). Suggestions are provided to develop support service programs and interventions tailored to caregivers, to help meet their basic substance and mental health needs. (147 words).