Emotional Distress In Caregivers Research Articles

Emotional state in employed caregivers of frail elderly relatives

Introduction Research has long suggested that care giving can be a stressful role that adversely affects physical and mental well-being of those who provided care. The effects of combining work and care giving can be negative and may have different outcomes on caregivers. Objectives This study examined the effects of gender, kinship and work-related experiences on the emotional state of employed caregivers. Aim This study allows us to gain a better understanding of the influence of gender and kinship on the emotional state of working caregivers. Method We have carried out a cross sectional study on 81 employed caregivers of elderly dependent. Using multivariate analysis of covariance (2×2×2 MANCOVA), we examined the main and interaction effects of gender (male vs. female), kinship (spouses vs. adult children), and two types of work-related experiences (work-caregiving conflict and positive work experience; both of them with two levels: high vs. low) on burden, depression, negative and positive affect, and role overload. Results We found that women caregivers in this study experience higher levels of burden, negative affect, and role overload than their men counterparts. However, in the case of kinship, this variable has not been shown to be related to a worse emotional state on employed caregivers. Higher levels of work-care giving conflict were associated with greater emotional distress in caregivers. Regarding to positive work experiences, significant differences were only found in positive affect. Conclusion These findings suggest that gender is a central factor that influences emotional distress in employed caregivers in the two types of work-related experiences.

Predictors of Emotional Distress in Family Caregivers of Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review

The purpose of the current paper was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on predictors of emotional distress in caregivers of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to provide evidence-based classification for prognostic variables to guide future research and clinical practice. A search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases. The citations of resulting articles were also reviewed. Twenty-eight articles met inclusion criteria and were retained for review. Reviews were conducted in accordance with the 2011 edition of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Guidelines for classifying evidence for prognostic studies. Data abstraction revealed one Class I study, four Class II studies, eight Class III studies, and 15 Class IV studies. Results of the review indicated that caregivers’ report of neurobehavioural problems in the person with injury is a probable predictor of emotional distress for caregivers of persons with complicated mild, moderate or severe TBI (Class B evidence). The level of participation in the person with injury, level of support needed by the person with injury, and family systems functioning are probably predictors of emotional distress for caregivers of persons with severe TBI (Class B evidence). Executive functioning impairment in the person with injury, pre-injury emotional distress in caregivers, caregiver age, caregivers’ use of emotion-focused coping, and social support may possibly be risk factors for caregivers’ emotional distress (Class C evidence). Recommendations for future research and implications for assessment and treatment of family caregivers are discussed.

Assessment of caregiver burden with elderly having cognitive deficit

To characterize the elderly with cognitive déficit, and family caregivers who live in the urban communit,y and to identify the caregiver burden. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study, conducted between January and July 2009. Seventy elderly (aged 65 and older) were assessed for cognitive deficit using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE); their 70 caregivers were evaluated by the Zarit Burden Scale (ZBS) and the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ). The data were entered and validated by double entry in the MS Excel Program, and were analyzed using SPSS software, version 15.0. RESULTS: Of the caregivers, 47.1% were children. We obtained a mean for the ZBS of 30.3 (± 17.3) and 6.2 (± 3.2) for the SRQ, p <0.05, correlating lower scores of the MMSE with high scores on ZBS and SRQ. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive deficit of the elderly was a predictive factor for burden and emotional distress of caregivers. Knowing the reduction of cognitive capacity related to caregiver burden is essential for preserving caregiver health.

SP1-77 Strategy for the care of the elderly with limited functional capacity in a developing country

BackgroundThe “Aconchego” Day Center (ADC) aims to care for elderly individuals with limited functional capacity, an unprecedented strategy in a medium-sized city in the State of São Paulo (Brazil). It...

Impact of Frontal Systems Behavioral Functioning in Dementia on Caregiver Burden

Impact of Frontal Systems Behavioral Functioning in Dementia on Caregiver Burden

Mental symptoms in Parkinson's disease are important contributors to caregiver distress

To determine the emotional and social distress of caring for a patient with Parkinson's disease and to explore the impact of motor and mental symptoms in subjects with Parkinson's disease on their caregivers' situation. Cross-sectional, population-based study using self-report questionnaires to measure caregiver distress and rating scales to assess patient symptomatology. Neurology and old age psychiatry services in Stavanger, Norway. Caregivers of 94 home-dwelling patients with Parkinson's disease. Two control groups (patients with diabetes mellitus and healthy elderly). Measures of social and emotional distress in caregivers, including the Relative Stress Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and the General Health Questionnaire. Caregivers, in particular spouses, had more severe depression and a higher proportion reporting tiredness, sadness and less satisfaction with life compared with healthy elderly subjects. Using linear regression analysis, patient predictors of caregiver distress were depression, functional and cognitive impairment, agitation, aberrant motor behaviour and delusions. Caring for a spouse with Parkinson's disease is associated with emotional and social distress, underlining the importance of also assessing the needs of carers. Mental symptoms of parkinsonian patients were the most consistent and powerful predictors of caregiver distress, suggesting that identification and treatment of mental symptoms may reduce distress in caregivers of subjects with Parkinson's disease.

Mental symptoms in Parkinson's disease are important contributors to caregiver distress

Objective To determine the emotional and social distress of caring for a patient with Parkinson's disease and to explore the impact of motor and mental symptoms in subjects with Parkinson's disease on their caregivers' situation. Design Cross-sectional, population-based study using self-report questionnaires to measure caregiver distress and rating scales to assess patient symptomatology. Setting Neurology and old age psychiatry services in Stavanger, Norway. Subjects Caregivers of 94 home-dwelling patients with Parkinson's disease. Two control groups (patients with diabetes mellitus and healthy elderly). Outcome measures Measures of social and emotional distress in caregivers, including the Relative Stress Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and the General Health Questionnaire. Results Caregivers, in particular spouses, had more severe depression and a higher proportion reporting tiredness, sadness and less satisfaction with life compared with healthy elderly subjects. Using linear regression analysis, patient predictors of caregiver distress were depression, functional and cognitive impairment, agitation, aberrant motor behaviour and delusions. Conclusions Caring for a spouse with Parkinson's disease is associated with emotional and social distress, underlining the importance of also assessing the needs of carers. Mental symptoms of parkinsonian patients were the most consistent and powerful predictors of caregiver distress, suggesting that identification and treatment of mental symptoms may reduce distress in caregivers of subjects with Parkinson's disease. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A Population-Based Assessment of the Impact and Burden of Caregiving for Long-term Stroke Survivors

Little attention has been focused on the demands on caregivers in stroke outcome research. A major aim of this study was to identify factors in patients associated with emotional distress in caregivers 1 year after stroke. One-year stroke survivors with residual handicap (defined by the Oxford Handicap Scale) and their chief caregivers were interviewed as part of the follow-up activities for patients (n = 492) registered with the Perth Community Stroke Study. We assessed emotional distress in caregivers using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the 28-item General Health Questionnaire. Appropriate sections of the Social Behaviour Assessment Schedule were used to assess the patient's behavior and the impact on the caregiver's life. Other aspects of the patient's functional state were assessed with the Barthel Index, the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Frenchay Activities Index, and the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule (at 4 months after stroke). Of 241 patients who survived to 1 year after stroke and were living outside of an institution, 103 patients (43%; 95% confidence interval, 37% to 49%) were handicapped. Eighty-four patient/caregiver units were assessed from this latter group. Almost all caregivers reported adverse effects on their emotional health, social activities, and leisure time, and more than half reported adverse effects on family relationships. Forty-six caregivers (55%) showed evidence of emotional distress on either of the two screening instruments, particularly if they were caregiving for patients with dementia and/or abnormal behavior. There was no significant relationship between emotional illness among caregivers and the degree of patients' physical disability. In this population, the high level of emotional distress among caregivers of stroke patients suggests that many caregivers have unmet needs. Community services need to focus attention on the neuropsychological aspects of stroke patients and the social functioning of caregivers who support them.

A meta-analytic review of interventions for caregiver distress: recommendations for future research.

This review summarizes articles from 1980 to 1990 on psychosocial interventions and respite care for caregivers. The review was limited to controlled studies that attempted to change emotional distress in caregivers. Cumulatively, they suggest that individual psychosocial interventions and respite programs are moderately effective; psychosocial interventions with groups are less so.