Mental health status and coping strategies of dementia patients' caregivers of diverse ethnicities: a cross-cultural study

Abstract

To explore the relationship between the mental health status and coping strategies among the dementia patients' caregivers of diverse ethnicities. A survey of questionnaire, including sub-questionnaires related to the perceived living ability and cognitive damage, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, of the patients, and the mental health, coping strategies, and depression status of the CGs, was conducted among 121 caregivers (CGs) of dementia patients in the US, including 4 ethnicities: Chinese-Americans (CN, n = 29), African-Americans (BK, n = 29), Caucasians (WT, n = 32), and Latinos (LT, n = 31). The primary CGs were daughters in the BK, WT, and LT groups, while the spouses, sons, and daughters shared the caregiving role in the CN group. No significant difference in depression status and health status and physical and mental health were detected among the 4 groups (all P < 0.05). The CGs of different ethnicities origins presented different coping strategies. The subtotal scores of accepting the current situation and seeking for positive profiles were significantly different among the 4 ethnic groups with BK > WT > LT > CN (all P < 0.05). Regression analysis suggested that the CGs' depression status was associated with the background characteristics of the CGs and the care receivers and the coping strategies of the CGs were cross-ethnic differences of coping patterns relevant to the CGs' depressive experiences. Mental health status is associated with the coping strategies among the dementia patients' CGs, and there is cross-ethnic difference of coping strategies relevant to the CGs' depressive experience. Culturally appropriate training on coping strategies and care service is needed to improve the quality of care and quality of life for the dementia patients and their caregivers.