Perceived Stress and Mindfulness : A Review of Baseline Data for the Practice of Acceptance, Awareness, and Compassion in Caregiving (PAACC) Study

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundAs the prevalence of dementia in Veterans is predicted to increase three‐fold in the coming decades, the Veterans Health Administration has made empowering informal caregivers a top priority. Current evidence‐based caregiver interventions, such as Resources for Enhancing All Caregivers Health (REACH‐VA), focus on cognitive and behavioral strategies to lessen caregiver burden. The Practice of Acceptance, Awareness, and Compassion in Caregiving (PAACC) incorporates mindfulness as the main mechanism for reducing caregiver strain. The goal of this intervention is to help caregivers develop increased present‐focused acceptance and awareness of their reactivity to care‐related stressors rather than focus on aspects of care they cannot change.MethodThe study enrolled 127 dementia caregivers with moderate to severe levels of caregiver burden who were randomized to either cognitive behavior based(REACH‐VA) or mindfulness based(PAACC) support intervention. Study assessed caregivers for stress levels, perceived stress, rumination as well as mindfulness using validated questionnaires.ResultsThe mean age of caregivers was 68yrs, with 85% being females and spouses of individuals with dementia. Nearly 75% of the sample have greater than a high school education. Regression analysis of baseline data showed that perceived stress was negatively correlated and associated with mindfulness disposition (b = ‐1.11, p<0.001, R‐square = 0.32). Caregivers benefited from the mindfulness based strategies, and experienced increased acceptance of their caregiver role and greater compassion toward their relative living with dementia.ConclusionWe project that mindfulness will reduce the impact of the perceived stress and rumination, which is often associated with dementia caregiving and improve quality of life for both individual with dementia and their caregivers.