Preliminary Analysis of Aspects of Caregiving among Spousal Caregivers and Adult Child Caregivers for Persons with Dementia

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundWhile dementia caregiving experiences may vary across individuals, many studies have focused on the negative aspects of caregiving and reducing caregiver burden and stress. Understanding both positive and negative aspects of caregiving is essential, particularly between different caregiver types. This study aimed to compare positive and negative caregiving experiences between spousal and adult child caregivers. We also examined whether the caregiver type (spousal caregivers vs. adult child caregivers) is a significant factor predicting these caregiving experiences.MethodWe analyzed baseline data from an ongoing trial to manage sleep problems among persons with dementia (PwD) and their caregivers. Demographic data, Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC), Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), and Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression (CESD) data were collected from 39 caregivers (n = 27 spouses, n = 12 adult children; 82% women, 54% Whites). Descriptive and bivariate analyses and multiple regression models were conducted.ResultAdult child caregivers reported that providing care for their loved one made them feel more appreciated than spousal caregivers (4.25±1.21 vs. 3.48±0.97, respectively); however, they felt more stress when caring for the PwD and trying to meet other family and work responsibilities (2.75±0.86 vs. 2.07±0.99, respectively) and felt they should be doing more for the PwD (2.17±0.71 vs. 1.30±1.07, respectively; all p<0.05) than did spousal caregivers. No significant differences were found in the PAC and the ZBI total scores by caregiver type. In a separate regression model, CESD total score was the only significant factor predicting PAC and ZBI total scores, controlling for caregiver type, race (Whites vs. others), level of education, employment status, and years of caregiving. However, only the model predicting the ZBI total score was statistically significant (p<0.01, adjusted R2 = 54%).ConclusionThese preliminary findings suggest a critical need to better understand positive and negative caregiving experiences, particularly among adult child caregivers. Assessment of depressive symptoms should be included when examining caregiving experiences among spousal and adult child caregivers. Future studies are warranted to test whether characteristics of PwD or support received by caregivers would contribute to positive or negative caregiving experiences across caregiver types.