Abstract
BackgroundCaring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with significant mental burden e.g., depression and anxiety, and difficulties with social, familial, and professional functioning. To date, few studies have examined variables which would allow for a comprehensive and detailed study of the relationship between personal resources and caregiver health status, with a majority of studies focusing on factors that contribute to increased caregiver’s burden. Moreover, the available evidence fails to address differences in the functioning of formal and informal carers. Paying proper attention to the problems of nursing home staff can help identify important risk factors. Therefore, this study compared mental health problems in informal and formal caregivers and examined the relationship between mental resources and mental health problems in both groups of caregivers.MethodsThis cross-sectional study examined 100 formal (n = 50) and informal (n = 50) caregivers of AD patients. Personal resources were measured with the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ), the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and the Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (SCQ), while mental health was assessed with the Depression Assessment Questionnaire (DAQ) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Multivariate stepwise regression was performed separately for both investigated groups.ResultsThere were no significant differences between informal and formal caregivers in terms of psychological variables, i.e., sense of coherence, social support, self-efficacy, or mental health problems. In contrast, there were different significant predictors of mental health problems in both groups. Comprehensibility (SCQ) was a significant predictor of mental health problems measured by DAQ and self-efficacy (GSES) was a significant predictor of mental health problems measured by GHQ in informal caregivers. For formal caregivers, emotional support (SSQ) and comprehensibility (SCQ) were significant predictors of mental health problems measured by DAQ, while tangible support (SSQ) and meaningfulness (SCQ) were significant predictors of mental health problems measured by GHQ.ConclusionsPersonal resources are significant predictors of mental health outcomes in caregivers of AD patients. Preventive actions should therefore include assessment of factors affecting caregivers’ mental health in order to provide them with necessary care and create appropriate support groups.
Highlights
Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with significant mental burden e.g., depression and anxiety, and difficulties with social, familial, and professional functioning
Comparison of psychological variables There were no significant differences between informal caregivers and formal caregivers in terms of psychological variables, i.e. sense of coherence, social support, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, or mental health problems
For formal caregivers, the following variables were excluded from the statistical model: SCQ Manageability, SCQ Meaningfulness, SSQ Tangible support, SSQ Social integration, and GSES Self-efficacy GSES Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, SCQ Sense of Coherence Questionnaire, SSQ Social Support Questionnaire, β standardized regression coefficient, t Student’s t test to determine the significance of a standardized regression coefficient; R2 = size of the explained variance of the dependent variable including the correction for the number of subjects and the number of predictors introduced into the regression equation; F = fit of the regression model ** p < 0.01. *** p < 0.001 well suited to the analysed data, p < 0.001)
Summary
Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with significant mental burden e.g., depression and anxiety, and difficulties with social, familial, and professional functioning. The progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with significant deficits in patient functioning, necessitating the provision of long-term care. Ensuring long-term care for AD patients is largely the responsibility of formal and informal carers. Informal care is rooted in the family structure (loved ones, friends, neighbours), while formal care refers to carers who provide it as part of their work or public sector activities [3]. Local associations and centers working for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families include support groups and educational programs that raise public awareness diseases of old age and organize various forms of assistance for the elderly and their families. The education of carers and the training of medical staff plays an important role. Care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease takes place in family homes, nursing homes, day psychogeriatric departments, nursing homes, and private nursing homes
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