Carer Depression Research Articles

Attributions, strain and depression in carers of partners with MND: a preliminary investigation

Further examination of the data of Goldstein et al. (J Neurol Sci 160 (1998) S114) on the impact of MND in their spouses/partners on 19 caregivers investigated whether carers’ depression and strain scores could be related to their attributional style. Contrary to expectations, carers’ scores on a measure of depressed mood were not correlated with measures of internal/external, stable or global attributions. However, perceived strain was greater in carers who viewed their partners’ illness as having a more global impact on their lives, and was related to self-perceived control over their thoughts about their partner. Female carers anticipated experiencing less strain and distress in the following year than male carers, even though they did not differ in current strain levels. Male and female carers received similar numbers of formal services. The availability of informal support (family and friends) was associated with reduced anticipation of future strain and distress and with reduced perception of the pervasive impact of their partners’ MND on their lives.

Depression in the carers of dementia sufferers: a comparison of the carers of patients suffering from dementia with Lewy Bodies and the carers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Background: Depression has not previously been studied in the carers of patients suffering from dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). Method: Twenty-five DLB carers were matched with 75 AD carers, according to carer characteristics. A standardised assessment incorporated measures of cognition, depression, psychosis and behavioural disturbance. DLB (consensus criteria), and AD (NINCDS ADRDA criteria) were diagnosed using operationalised clinical criteria. Carer depression was diagnosed using the Research Diagnostic Criteria. Results: The overall frequency of depression was similar in DLB and AD carers (28% vs. 31%). DLB carers were significantly more likely to experience a major depressive disorder (3/25 — 12% vs. 0/75 — 0% χ 2=9.3, P=0.002, df 1), although the numbers were small. The severity of behavioural disturbance was associated with carer depression in the DLB carers and in the total sample. Conclusion: The severity of behavioural disturbance was significantly associated with depression in DLB carers.

Depression in carers of elderly people living at home

Depression in carers of elderly people living at home

Depression and other psychiatric morbidity in carers of elderly people living at home

To describe the mental health of a community sample of carers of elderly people with dementia, depression, or physical disability and to compare that with the mental health of other adults living in the household and of those living alone. Assessment of psychiatric morbidity and physical disability with standardised questionnaire in randomly selected enumeration districts; subjects were interviewed at home. London Borough of Islington. 700 people aged > or = 65 and other coresidents. Depression measured with standardised interview. The prevalence of depression was not significantly higher in carers overall (15%) than in coresidents (11%). Being a woman carer was a significant predictor of psychiatric illness. Depression was more common in the carers of people with a psychiatric disorder than in coresidents (24% v 11%, P < 0.05) and in those living alone (19%). Depression was most common (47%) in women carers of people with dementia. The increase in psychiatric morbidity reported in carers of people with psychiatric disorders may reflect the lack of a confiding relationship.

The aetiology of depression in the carers of dementia sufferers

Objective: To examine the associations of depression in the carers of dementia sufferers, diagnosed on the basis of a semistructured interview. Design: Case control study. Setting: Referrals to clinical services. Subjects: The informal carers of 109 dementia sufferers, 32 with depression and 77 without. Measures: Carers were interviewed using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule. The diagnosis of depression was made according to Research Diagnostic Criteria. Instruments used to assess associations included Carers' Stress Scale, Marital Intimacy Scale, Cornell Depression Scale and CAMCOG Schedule. Results: Only increasing age was significantly associated with depression in the overall group of carers. The severity of cognitive impairment was significantly associated with depression in carers who lived with a dementia sufferer and a low level of premorbid marital intimacy was significantly associated with depression amongst carers who were marital partners. Conclusion: Few factors are clearly associated with depression in the carers of dementia sufferers. The pattern of associations was, however, different for carers in different situations.

Coping, caring and stress: A study of stroke carers and carers of older confused people

The dementias and strokes are chronic conditions often occurring at older ages. Most sufferers are cared for at home and, in this context, many research studies have described high levels of stress experienced by their carers. The present study, looking mainly at spouse carers of stroke victims (N = 36) or older confused people (N = 37), examined the possibility that the ways in which carers cope may be associated with their levels of stress and depression. A number of measures of behaviour disturbance and coping were developed and utilized. Multiple regression analyses supported the involvement of some aspects of coping in relation to carer stress and depression, particularly the coping strategy of Non-confronting and a Quality of Coping index--the former being positively and the latter negatively associated with stress and depression. Implications for intervention work with carers of stroke victims or carers of older confused people are discussed.

Caring for elderly dependents: effects on the carers' quality of life.

This study describes a survey of 256 informal carers and elderly people they support, and examines the impact of the caring role upon quality of life. Carers reported that many aspects of their physical and mental health as well as their social and family lives were affected by their caring. For many the caring activity was unremitting. Overall, daughters were the most likely to report deleterious effects on their lives. Dominant factors associated with stress were the relationship between carer and dependent, sex of the carer and effects on social and family life. While relationship and sex were also associated with anxiety, loneliness was the dominant factor associated with anxiety and depression. Older age of the dependent was associated with stress, carer's disability was associated with anxiety, and depression in the elderly person was associated with depression in carers. These findings indicate that community services and future policies should be oriented towards the needs of carers and their families and not solely to the needs of frail elderly people. In particular there is a need to consider an increase in the provision of flexible planned respite care.

Prevention and the identification of high risk groups

Prevention of minor psychiatric morbidity in general practice depends on identifying individuals at times of vulnerability. Cross-sectional community studies have shown that psychosocial distress follows closely upon negative life events, and that individuals who lack supportive relationships are at highest risk of poor health outcome. The primary care team is in a good position to identify these undergoing life crises such as bereavement, divorce, childbirth and chronic illness, who appear to lack adequate social support. The theoretical basis of social support interventions is outlined, together with examples of application in primary care. Prevention of postnatal depression and breakdown in carers of demented eldery people are presented as intervention paradigms.