Caregiver Anxiety Research Articles

The impact of leukemia on quality of life and mental health: Insights from a case study examining physical, social, and cultural implications

Introduction: Leukemia presents a significant health challenge globally, affecting patients physically and mentally. The symptoms and adverse effects of treatments impact the health-related quality of life (QOL) of leukemia patients. Family caregivers, often family members, play a crucial role in care provision, especially in regions with limited professional nursing. Aim: This research aimed to explore the QOL of a leukemia patient, the effects on the individual and family, factors contributing to well-being, social support networks, and healthcare resources. Insights gained could enhance the QOL for patients and families confronting this challenging disease. Method: A qualitative case study approach was employed. The researchers focused on a single instance, utilizing semi-structured interviews. This technique allowed for an in-depth exploration of the experiences from anthropological perspectives. Data collection involved non-structured interviews with a 42-year-old woman diagnosed with acute leukemia, who had previously recovered from breast cancer. Results: Leukemia patients and family caregivers face substantial psychological distress due to caregiving roles. Anxiety, stress, and depression in caregivers can be mitigated through tailored programs addressing their psychological needs. Such interventions are likely to positively impact the overall quality of life for families. Future research should explore specific factors contributing to psychological distress and evaluate the effectiveness of needs-based programs. Conclusions: To enhance the well-being of both adult leukemia patients and their family caregivers, healthcare professionals should consider family-level intervention programs. The resilience demonstrated by individuals like Ms. Maria, who navigate challenges with determination, serves as inspiration for others facing acute leukemia. Further studies should delve into patient and caregiver factors affecting psychological distress, offering a comprehensive understanding of the holistic care needed for leukemia patients and their families.

Caregiver burden and impact on COVID-19 patient participation and quality of life one year after ICU discharge – A prospective cohort study

Objectivesto investigate changes in caregiver strain, mental health complaints and QoL in caregivers of COVID-19 ICU survivors in the first year after discharge, and their associations with patients’ participation and quality of life. MethodsPost-ICU COVID-19 survivors, needing inpatient rehabilitation and their informal caregivers were included. Caregiver self-administered questionnaires included quality of life, self-rated health, caregiver strain, anxiety and depression symptoms, post-traumatic stress and coping style. Patients’ participation in society was assessed and quality of life. Results67 patients (78% male) and 57 caregivers (23.6% male) were included. Three months post-ICU, caregivers experienced caregiver strain (32%), anxiety (41%), depressive symptoms (16%) and PTSD (24%). One year post-ICU, rates decreased, still being 11%, 26%, 10% and 5%, respectively. Caregiver anxiety symptoms and self-rated health at three months were associated with worse patient levels of participation and quality of life one year after ICU discharge (p < 0.05). ConclusionsCOVID-19 caregivers experience high levels of mental health complaints one year after a patient’s ICU discharge. Furthermore, our results indicate that patient participation levels and quality of life one year after ICU discharge may be negatively associated by caregiver complaints. Practical implicationsCounselling and routine assessment of emotional complaints and unmet needs of the informal caregiver should be incorporated and addressed in the rehabilitation treatment of (COVID-19) post-ICU patients.

Overcoming Patient Pain Together: Breast Cancer Patients and Caregivers’ Pretreatment Psychosocial Distress Linked to Patients’ Pain Interference During the First Year of Treatment

Breast cancer patients experience treatment-related pain from surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and long-term hormonal treatment, which can lead to poorer outcomes. Patient and family caregivers' psychosocial distress exacerbates patient pain interference, but this has not been directly examined among breast cancer patients in dyadic models longitudinally. Guided by a biopsychosocial framework, the Biobehavioral Family Model, we explore how multiple reports of patient pain interference across the first year of treatment are linked to the patient (N = 55) and caregiver (N = 55) pretreatment psychosocial distress (eg, depression, anxiety, marital satisfaction, family relationship quality). Specifically, we find that breast cancer patients’ pain interference increases and then decreases over the first year of treatment. Additionally, caregivers' pretreatment anxiety was associated with increased patient pain interference over time (B = .19, SE = .07, P = .008), while patients’ pretreatment psychosocial distress was not associated with a change in their pain interference. Yet, looking at clinically specific times during the first year of treatment, we find that caregiver-reported higher marital satisfaction is associated with lower patient-reported pain interference later in treatment (6 months: B = −.58, SE = .24, P = .017; 12 months: B = −.82, SE = .23, P < .001). We conclude that, per the Biobehavioral Family Model, pretreatment patient and caregiver psychosocial distress is linked to patient pain interference during the first year of breast cancer treatment. Thus, caregivers’ psychosocial distress (ie, anxiety and marital satisfaction) may be a particularly important target in future dyadic behavioral intervention strategies to reduce breast cancer patient pain. PerspectiveThis article presents the link between breast cancer patients and family caregiver pretreatment psychosocial distress (anxiety, depression, marital satisfaction, and family quality) on patient pain interference during 1 year of breast cancer treatment. Findings suggest that caregiver anxiety and marital satisfaction may be important targets for future dyadic behavioral pain interventions.

COVID-19-related anxiety and obsession levels in stroke patients and family caregivers and their effects on caregiver burden.

The aim of this study is to describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related dysfunctional anxiety and thinking in patients with stroke and caregivers who are family members and their effects on caregiver burden. This cross-sectional study included 79 stroke patients and their primary caregivers who were hospitalised in atertiary rehabilitation hospital. Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) were used to assess the levels of COVID-19-related dysfunctional anxiety and obsession of the patients and their caregivers. Caregiver burden was assessed via the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). In the patients with stroke, COVID-19-related anxiety and COVID-19-related obsession rates were 13.9% (n = 11) and 7.6% (n = 6), respectively, while 17.7% (n = 14) of caregiver family members had COVID-19-related anxiety and 11.4% (n = 9) had COVID-19-related obsession. The CAS score of caregivers showed asignificant positive correlation with the CAS and OCS scores of patients (p = 0.000, r = 0.423; p = 0.007, r = 0.300, respectively). The OCS score of caregivers showed asignificant positive correlation with the OCS scores of the patients (p = 0.000, r = 0.476). The mean ZBI score of caregiver family members was 31.9 ± 13.5. A significant positive correlation was observed between the caregiver's OCS and CAS scores and ZBI scores (p = 0.002, r = -0.349; p = 0.004, r = 0.323, respectively). In this study, a significant relationship between caregiver burden and COVID-19-related anxiety and obsession in the caregivers of stroke patients was identified. Therefore, caregivers of stroke patients should not be forgotten during pandemics and should receive physical and psychological support.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effect of Tracheostomy Training using Mannequin-Based Simulation and Smartphone Application on Self-Efficacy and Anxiety of Caregivers.

Inefficient education is a cause of anxiety and low self-efficacy among caregivers, especially for those caring for patients with tracheostomy. This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the outcomes of tracheostomy care education by mannequin-based simulation and smartphone application. The participants were 126 primary caregivers of tracheostomy patients being discharged home from hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The control group received routine care. Caregiver self-efficacy was assessed using the Caregiver Inventory and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale prior to the education and 1 month after. There were significant differences among the three groups regarding the mean scores of self-efficacy and anxiety. There was a significant increase in self-efficacy (P ≤ .0001) and a significant decrease in anxiety (P ≤ .0001) scores after the intervention. The intergroup comparison showed a significant difference between the intervention groups and the control group in terms of changes in the anxiety and self-efficacy scores of caregivers (P < .001).

Fever education for caregivers in the emergency room (The FEVER study)–an interventional trial

BackgroundDespite the vast majority of fevers representing benign self-limiting illnesses, caregiver anxiety regarding fever is high. Empowering caregivers with knowledge to safely and appropriately manage fever at home has the potential to reduce demands upon healthcare services.AimTo improve caregiver knowledge about fever and its management in children via an educational intervention.MethodsCaregivers of children over 6 months presenting with fever to a Paediatric Emergency Department were recruited. A pre-intervention survey was completed to ascertain caregiver knowledge about fever and its management. The intervention of (i) an infographic about fever, with (ii) a short video on fever was viewed. A post-intervention survey re-assessed knowledge. The primary outcome was the correct definition of fever as a temperature ≥38 °C.ResultsCaregivers (n = 51) who correctly defined fever increased from 41% (n = 21) pre-intervention to 94% (n = 48) post-intervention. There was a reduction in common misconceptions about fever, including a higher fever representing a more serious infection (76% vs. 8%). Caregivers reported they were less likely to seek emergency healthcare due to the height and nature of the fever alone.ConclusionsA simple brief educational intervention can rapidly increase caregiver knowledge about fever in children. There is a continuing need for clear, easily-accessible information for caregivers on this topic.ImpactParental knowledge about fever and how to manage it in their children is low.A simple brief educational intervention can significantly increase caregiver knowledge about fever.A combined written and audiovisual approach is effective and well-received by parents.Educating caregivers has the potential to improve the management of childhood fever at home and to reduce the burden on healthcare services, as well as reduce unpleasant hospital visits for children and their caregivers.

Comparison of anxiety and depression levels in caregivers of patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for home enteral tube feeding against other enteral nutrition methods

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to demonstrate whether the care burden of caregivers of bedridden patients, who experience feeding difficulties, decreases according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (1) after the patient has undergone PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy). The hypothesis of the study was that the levels of anxiety and depression of caregivers for patients fed via PEG decrease more than those for caregivers of patients fed through other enteral methods. Based on this, the goal is to recommend to palliative care and home care professionals the type of feeding method for bedridden patients that will create less burden on their relatives.MethodsA comparison was made of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores among caregivers of patients receiving PEG and other enteral nutrition, focusing on changes between hospital admission and discharge. These changes were analyzed based on the caregiver’s age, gender, and the duration of the patient’s hospital stay.MethodsThis study conducted a comparative analysis of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores among caregivers of patients receiving Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) versus other forms of enteral nutrition. The focus was on the variation in these scores from the time of the patients’ hospital admission to their discharge. This analysis incorporated an examination of how these changes correlated with the caregiver’s age and gender, as well as the duration of the patient’s hospitalization.ResultsDespite longer hospital stays, a decrease in anxiety and depression was observed in caregivers of patients receiving PEG compared to the other group (p = 0.078). It was found that the decrease in anxiety and depression levels was less pronounced with increasing age of the caregiver (r=-0.202, p = 0.038). Hospital stay duration for patients receiving PEG was significantly longer than for those receiving other enteral nutrition methods (p = 0.017).ConclusionsWe believe that Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) should be the preferred method for long-term enteral nutrition due to its facilitation of effective and comfortable feeding and medication administration by caregivers. In palliative care services, for patients requiring long-term nutrition, PEG should be considered more prominently than other enteral feeding methods to reduce the anxiety of caregivers.

Willingness to institutionalize a relative with dementia: a web-platform assessment with the Portuguese adapted version of the Desire-to-Institutionalize Scale.

Older persons with dementia (PwD) are more likely to be institutionalized than their counterparts without dementia. The caregiver's desire to institutionalize has been suggested as the most important predictor of actual institutionalization. This cross-sectional study aimed to culturally adapt the Desire to Institutionalize Scale (DIS) to a country with a high prevalence of dementia (Portugal) and examine its psychometric properties. The reliability, structural validity, and criterion validity of the DIS-PT were assessed by applying the scale using a remote measurement web platform. A sample of 105 dementia caregivers completed the DIS-PT and several psychosocial measures, including caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, quality of life, PwD functional independence, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The DIS-PT demonstrated good structural validity, with one factor explaining 75% of the total variance. The internal consistency of the scale was high (α = 0.802). Most caregivers (65.7%) endorsed at least one item on the DIS-PT (Mdn 2). The caregiver's desire to institutionalize was significantly associated with the caregiver, care recipient, and contextual variables previously known to affect institutional placement. These included the caregivers' occupational status, perceived burden, anxiety (but not depression), physical and psychological quality of life, care recipient education, severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms, and cohabitation with the caregiver. This study offers preliminary support for the psychometric quality of the DIS-PT. The scale has practical applications in the early identification of caregivers considering nursing home placement, providing room for intervention in modifiable risk factors that may otherwise lead to the institutionalization of PwD. Remote measurement tools may hold value in assessing caregiving dyads non-intrusively and inexpensively.

Clinical and microbiological predictors of healing in Buruli ulcer disease

IntroductionWound measurements are relevant in monitoring the rate of healing (RoH) and may predict time to healing. Predicting the time to healing can help improve the management of Buruli ulcer. We examine three methods for the determination of RoH and their use as predictors of time to healing. MethodsLesion measurements of Buruli ulcer patients treated from 2007 to 2022 were obtained with acetate sheet tracings (2D) or Aranz software (3D) fortnightly. RoH was determined using the absolute area, percentage area reduction and linear methods at 4 weeks post onset of antibiotic treatment. Predicted time to healing was compared to the actual healing time. Baseline characteristics were assessed for associations with healing. ResultsAll three methods for calculating the RoH significantly distinguished between fast and slow healers (p < 0.0001). The predicted healing time using the linear method was comparable to the actual healing time for fast healers (p = 0.34). The RoH was influenced by the form of lesion, with plaques [OR 2.19 5 %CI (1.2–3.6), p = 0.009], and oedemas [OR 8.5; 95 %CI (1.9––36.9), p = 0.004] being associated with delayed healing. The proportion of patients with paradoxical reactions 16 % vs 3 %, p < 0.0001), higher baseline bacterial load (75/104;72 % vs 21/47;45 %, p = 0.001) and delayed clearance of viable organisms (71/104;68 % vs 9/47;19 %, p < 0.0001) was higher in the slow healers than the fast healers. ConclusionPredicted healing rates were comparatively lower for slow healers than fast healers. Baseline characteristics associated with healing can be explored for an improved disease management plan to reduce patient and caregiver anxiety.

Death Anxiety in Caregivers of Chronic Patients.

This study aimed to determine the extent to which caregivers of patients with chronic illnesses experience death anxiety, and which variables from caregivers and patients might potentially be related to their death anxiety. It also aimed to compare the levels of death anxiety between patients and caregivers. Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Psychology Database, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were searched for original studies available until December 2022 that quantitatively addressed death anxiety in family and informal caregivers of individuals with chronic illnesses. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed, and a meta-analysis was conducted using Hedges' g as the effect size index and the DerSimonian-Laird method to analyze differences between patients and caregivers in death anxiety. The results of the 11 included studies showed moderate levels of death anxiety in caregivers, and the meta-analysis (k = 7; 614 patients and 586 caregivers) revealed non-significant differences between the death anxiety experienced by patients and caregivers (pooled Hedges' g = -0.03, 95% CI = -0.29 to 0.25, p = 0.802). Some sociodemographic and psychological factors (e.g., gender, depression, and anxiety) might be related to the death anxiety experienced, but additional research is necessary to validate these findings.

Reducing Preoperative Caregiver Anxiety With Virtual Reality: A Pragmatic, Randomized Controlled Study.

Pediatric patients and their caregivers often experience perioperative anxiety. Interventions reduce caregiver anxiety improve cooperation and contribute to an improved patient experience. This study seeks to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR)-assisted mindfulness on perioperative caregiver anxiety. Participants were randomized into a standard of care (SOC) group, which included snacks but no technology-based distractions, or a VR group, which included snacks and a VR-guided meditation. Caregiver anxiety was measured before and after the intervention using the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A). Secondary aims explored participants' baseline anxiety with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). VR group participants completed a satisfaction survey. Linear regression models of VAS-A and STAI were used to compare group differences. Satisfaction survey results were reported with descriptive statistics. 26 participants were included, with 12 randomized to the SOC group and 14 to the VR group. VAS-A scores in the VR group were lower than those in the SOC group (p = .002). The STAI found no change in participants' state of anxiety in the SOC group (p = .7108), compared to a significant reduction (p = .014) in the VR group when controlling for anxiety traits. 12 of 14 caregivers in the VR group expressed satisfaction or strong satisfaction. This study supports the implementation of VR mindfulness as a method to reduce caregiver anxiety. VR use in the pediatric healthcare setting is safe and inexpensive, and the intervention had a high degree of participant satisfaction.

Depression, Stress, Anxiety, and Family Burden in Caregivers of Patients with Preexisting Severe Mental Illness and Their Coping Strategies during Omicron Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic

Background and Aims: There is limited research on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on caregivers of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) during its late phase when sufficient and widespread knowledge about management and preventive aspects existed. We aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on caregivers of patients with SMI during Omicron wave. Methodology: We assessed 100 caregivers of patients with preexisting SMI diagnosed on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5, 50 each of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) from December 14, 2021, to February 9, 2022. We assessed symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and family burden in caregivers and their coping strategies by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 Hindi version, Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS), and Brief-Coping Orientation to Problem Experienced, respectively. Results: Caregivers of SMI experienced symptoms of depression (51%), anxiety (72%), and stress (13%), with significantly more symptoms of depression (P = 0.002) and anxiety (P = 0.025) in caregivers of SCZ. High caregiver burden (score: 25.76, &gt; half of the total score on FBIS) was found with no significant difference in the two groups. Caregivers of SCZ used a greater number of emotion-focused coping strategies, whereas those with BD used more problem-focused coping, but the difference was not significant. A significant association was seen between coping strategies of substance use and depressed symptoms (P = 0.003), substance use and anxiety symptoms (P = 0.007); anxiety symptoms with denial (P = 0.001) anxiety symptoms and venting (P = 0.008) in caregivers of BD. Conclusion: Caregivers of patients with preexisting SMI experienced depression, anxiety, and high family burden during Omicron wave. They used both emotion- and problem-focused coping strategies.

Implementing STrAtegies for RelaTives of people with dementia (START) as a group: a service-level case study of collaboration between Talking Therapies and Memory Services

Abstract National guidance recommends that relatives of people with dementia receive support to develop coping strategies. STrAtegies for RelaTives (START) is an evidence-based manualised intervention for delivery on a one-to-one basis by trained graduate psychologists to family carers of people with dementia. However, implementation of START in standard National Health Service (NHS) provision has proved difficult. We describe collaboration between a Talking Therapies service and a Memory Service to co-facilitate and run START as a group. We consider implementation outcomes according to RE-AIM domains showing: the collaboration reached higher number of carers than other implementation initiatives (reach); there was significant reduction in caregiver anxiety and a trend towards significant reduction in depression (effectiveness); feedback from service users and clinicians on the service model has been positive (adoption); delivery has been supported by the written and audio materials (implementation); and the initiative has sustained over five years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and staff turnover (maintenance). Finally, we discuss implications and potential future development. Key learning aims (1) To develop knowledge about the content of the STrAtegies for RelaTives (START) coping intervention for family carers of people with dementia. (2) To understand the similarities between low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression, as provided by Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs), and START psychoeducational content and skills exercises. (3) To reflect on the rationale for group delivery of START. (4) To consider the benefits of collaboration between Talking Therapies and Memory Services for implementing START.

Role adoption, anxiety, depression and loneliness in family caregivers of patients with chronic diseases.

to describe and explore the relationship of loneliness, anxiety and depression with adoption of the caregiver role among individuals caring for people with chronic diseases in Colombia. this was an exploratory and cross-sectional study involving 960 primary caregivers of individuals with chronic diseases. We applied the Caregiver Role Adoption Scale, the University of California at Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, and the Anxiety and Depression Scale. Principal component and multiple correspondence analyses were performed for clustering. among the participating caregivers, 40.8% reported experiencing depression, 59% reported anxiety, 54.6% reported moderate to severe loneliness, and 88.6% reported satisfactory adoption of the caregiver role. Caregivers who presented basic or insufficient role adoption levels tended to have higher scores for anxiety, depression and loneliness. adoption of the caregiver role is a mediator in the anxiety, depression and loneliness levels among caregivers. Strategies aimed at supporting caregivers should include training for the caregiver role to mitigate the negative impacts of anxiety, depression and loneliness. (1) More than half of the caregivers reported moderate or severe anxiety and loneliness. (2) Caregivers with low role adoption levels presented more anxiety, depression and loneliness. (3) Satisfactory adoption of the caregiver role reduces anxiety, depression and loneliness. (4) Role adoption should be intervened to reduce the impact on caregivers' mental health.

Burden of Care, Depression, and Anxiety Among Family Caregivers of People With Dementia.

There are many challenges that entail caring for an individual with dementia, affecting not only the individual with the condition but also their caregivers. This can lead to increased burden, frustration, and depression among those taking care of them. A research gap exists concerning the care of people with dementia in Egypt, particularly regarding the mental health of caregivers. Limited studies have been conducted in Egypt, particularly focusing on the mental health of caregivers. This lack highlights the need to understand the prevalence and impact of caregiver burden in this population. The research aimed to evaluate the burden of dementia, levels of depression, and anxiety among family caregivers of individuals with dementia. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a geriatric unit clinic of a psychiatric hospital in Cairo University, Egypt. Caregiver burden, anxiety, and depression were assessed using questionnaires. These questionnaires included the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), together with demographic data on the patients and caregivers. The majority of the 141 participants (73% (n = 103)) were female, mostly daughters, with an average age of 40 years. Approximately 50% (n = 71) of the subjects exhibited mild to moderate burden, whereas 30% (n = 43) showed moderate to severe burden. About 31% (n = 44) of the subjects exhibited symptoms of moderate depression, whereas 9% (n = 13) had symptoms of severe depression. Furthermore, almost 43% (n = 60) of caregivers exhibited a moderate level of anxiety. Furthermore, a significant association was seen between caregiver burden and the presence of anxiety and depression. This study showed a substantial burden in providing care, elevated levels of despair, and anxiety among caregivers of PWD. The findings highlight how important it is to develop targeted therapies and support systems in order to lessen the load on caregivers, advance their mental health, and improve overall care for both caregivers and their patients in Egypt. Policy-makers should prioritize investing in dementia-related support systems and services to empower caregivers and improve the quality of life for both caregivers and their patients.

Cluster randomized controlled trial of a phone-based caregiver support and parenting program for Syrian and Jordanian families with young children

For refugee caregivers who may live in remote areas or be a highly mobile population, creating parenting programs that fit their needs and accommodate their mobility can be highly beneficial. In this article, we evaluate a 6-month, audio-only early childhood development (ECD) intervention delivered via phone (3 calls per month) to caregivers of Syrian and Jordanian backgrounds in Jordan. A sample of stipended community health volunteers (CHVs; N = 99) and their caseloads of caregivers (n = 2,298) was randomized to calls with health and nutritional content (control group) or calls with health, nutritional, and added parenting and caregiver-focused content (including content adapted from the Reach Up and Learn model). Hypothesized outcomes included reduced caregiver depressive and anxiety symptoms, parenting stress, and harsh discipline; increased parent-child learning activities and parenting self-efficacy. Exploratory outcomes (all caregiver-reported) included child development; and caregiver engagement in activities related to health and child learning following the calls. Exposure to the treatment condition resulted in a statistically significant reduction in caregivers’ depressive symptoms (d=-0.11). No other statistically significant impacts were found. Implications of these findings for caregiver interventions are discussed.

Psychosocial factors affected by burden in family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease.

Identify the psychosocial factors affected by the burden on family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease. Forty-nine family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease, from a city in Minas Gerais, Brazil, participated in the study. They filled out a form of sociodemographic variables, and answered the Burden Interview Scale (BI-Zarit), Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver version (CQoL-AD), the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Mindfulness and Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR). All participants were female with an average age of 54.26 (±8.99). Daughters comprised 77.55% of the sample, and 34.69% were sole caregivers. The Bi-Zarit scale positively and significantly correlated with DASS-21 Depression (r=0.440; p=0.002), DASS-21 Anxiety (r=0.415; p=0.003), DAAS-21 Stress (r=0.583; p<0.001). On the other hand, it showed a negative correlation with MAAS (r=-0.429; p=0.002) and CQoL-AD (r=-0.533; p<0.001). This study demonstrates that family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease may be overloaded, and that the heavier the burden, the lower level of attention, the worse quality of life and the greater the possibility for the caretaker to present symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

When they just don't sleep: differential impacts of reduced child sleep on depression, anxiety, and stress among caregivers of children with and without neurogenetic syndromes.

Children with neurogenetic syndromes commonly experience significant and pervasive sleep disturbances, however, associations with caregiver mental health remains unclear. Previous studies have linked sleep disturbances with increased caregiver depression in typically developing populations, and heightened caregiver stress among neurogenetic populations. The present study expands on findings by exploring the longitudinal association between child sleep duration and caregiver mental health (depression, anxiety, stress) throughout development (infancy to school-aged children) in dyads with and without a child affected by a neurogenetic syndrome. Participants were drawn from the Purdue Early Phenotype Study, including 193 caregivers (Age: M = 34.40 years, SD = 4.53) of children with neurogenetic syndromes (Age: M = 40.91 months, SD =20.72) and typically developing children (n = 55; Age: M = 36.71 months, SD = 20.68). Children in the neurogenetic group were diagnosed with Angelman (n = 49), Prader Willi (n = 30), Williams (n = 51), and Fragile X (n = 8) syndromes. Caregivers completed assessments every six months up to child age three, and annual assessments thereafter. Child sleep duration was measured using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire, and caregiver internalizing symptoms were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale. Multilevel models were conducted to examine caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress in relation to child sleep duration at both between- and within-person levels, with child age as a moderator. Results indicated a between-person effect of child sleep duration on caregiver depression (i.e., differences between families) and a within-person effect on caregiver stress (i.e., change over time) in the full, combined sample. These effects were not maintained when examined separately in neurogenetic and typically developing groups, except for a between-person effect on caregiver stress in the typically developing cohort. Moderating effects of child age were significant for depression and stress only in the typically developing cohort. In summary, persistent child sleep disruptions were linked to exacerbated caregiver depression across the sample, while acute child sleep disruptions exacerbate caregiver stress within dyads over time. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing child sleep to enhance caregiverwellbeing and has potential relevance for a wide range of neurogenetic syndromes.

Anxiety and depression in family caregivers of hemodialysis patients: Incidence, risk factors, and correlation

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) imposes a significant global burden, with diabetes and hypertension being major contributors. In the severe stage, CKD patients require long-term hemodialysis (HD) treatment and rely on family caregivers for support. Caregivers often experience mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, which can impact their quality of life and patient outcomes.Objective: This study aimed to identify the anxiety and depression incidence in HD family caregivers at Soehadi Prijonegoro Regional Public Hospital (SPRPH), identify the risk factors associated with these conditions, and investigate the relationship between anxiety and depressionMethods: A cross-sectional analysis was carried out at the Hemodialysis Department from November 2022 to February 2023. Caregivers accompanying CKD patients undergoing HD participated voluntarily. Anxiety and depression levels were evaluated using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Results: Out of 106 participants, 66% were female. Most caregivers (99%) experienced anxiety, with 91% classified as mild and 8% as mild to moderate. Depression was reported by 42%, with 2% experiencing mild to moderate symptoms. Spearman’s analysis revealed a significant correlation between anxiety and depression (p=0.000). No specific caregiver characteristics were found to be associated with anxiety or depression.Conclusion: Family caregivers of HD patients demonstrated a high incidence of anxiety and a lower prevalence of depression. Anxiety levels were correlated with depression levels. We did not identify specific risk factors for these mental health conditions among caregivers. These findings emphasize the need for mental health screening and appropriate management to improve the quality of life for HD family caregivers.

The burden of care among caregivers: a comparison between home care and palliative care

Introduction: We aimed to determine whether there is a difference in care burden, anxiety, and depression between caregivers of patients living at home and those in the palliative care unit. Methods: The study was cross-sectional in the palliative care and home health units. The study population consisted of 1,879 patients. Different from home care, caregivers in the palliative unit were educated by the nurses on patient care during their stay in the hospital. A total of 186 caregivers were enrolled in the study. Unlike those receiving home care, caregivers of the patients in the palliative care unit received training on patient care while they were in the hospital. The care burden, anxiety, and depression levels of the caregivers in both groups were measured using the Zarit Caregiver Burden and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scales. Results: The mean age of the participants was 51.44±12.11 years. The caregivers' mean burden and anxiety scores were higher in palliative care compared to the homecare group. Both burden and anxiety scores were significantly higher in the palliative care group (p &amp;lt;0.001 and p =0.031, respectively). Conclusion: One of the distinguishing features of patients in the palliative care unit is the opportunity to provide ongoing medical support, social support, and education to the caregivers. However, the interventions at the palliative unit were not enough to compensate for the difference in the burden of care between the two groups.