Parkinson's Symptoms and Caregiver Burden and Mental Health: A Cross-Cultural Mediational Model.

Erin R. Smith,Sarah K. Lageman,Teresita Villaseñor,Carmen M. Tyler,Paul B. Perrin

doi:10.1155/2019/1396572

Erin R. Smith, Sarah K. Lageman + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1396572

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Abstract

Informal caregivers are critical in the care of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and spend substantial time providing care, which may be associated with negative caregiver outcomes such as burden and mental health issues. Although research in the United States and Europe has generally supported these relations, there is very limited research on PD caregiving in Latin America. The current study examined the following connections in a sample of PD caregivers from the United States (N = 105) and Mexico (N = 148): (a) PD-related impairments (motor and nonmotor symptoms) and caregiver burden, (b) caregiver burden and caregiver mental health, and (c) PD-related impairments and mental health through caregiver burden. Study results uncovered significant relations among PD-related impairments, caregiver burden, and caregiver mental health. Further, caregiver burden fully mediated the relation between PD-related impairments and caregiver mental health at both study sites. Findings highlight a number of important intervention targets for caregivers and families, including caregiver burden and mental health.

Highlights

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that leads to physical disability [1] and cognitive impairment [2] over time, both of which may limit an individual’s independent functioning
The current study examined the following connections in two samples of PD caregivers from the United States and Mexico: (a) PD-related impairments and caregiver burden, (b) caregiver burden and caregiver mental health, and (c) PD-related impairments and mental health through caregiver burden
The current study presents the results of a secondary analysis of data from another manuscript comparing PD caregiver and patient characteristics in the United States and Mexico [36]

Summary

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that leads to physical disability [1] and cognitive impairment [2] over time, both of which may limit an individual’s independent functioning. PD is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disease in the United States [3], affecting approximately 1% of individuals over the age of 60 [4]. Recent estimates suggest that by 2030, there will be approximately 1.2 million individuals in the United States living with PD [5]. Due to its aging population [6], rates of PD are likely to increase rapidly in Latin America, with estimates suggesting the prevalence of PD will double in Mexico within 20 years [7] since rates of PD increase with age [8]. Despite the high prevalence and increasing rates of PD in Latin America, very little is known about either PD patient or caregiver experiences in the region and how experiences may differ from those in the United States

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