Core self-evaluation and depression among caregivers of Alzheimer disease patients

Abstract

Introduction

Caregivers of Alzheimer Disease (AD) patients suffer from chronic stress and psychophysical burden, which often lead to depression symptoms. It seems that core self-evaluation (CSE), coping with stress and social support might be modifying factors in coping with situation of caregiving.

Aims

The aims of the study were to examine: (1) level of depression; (2) relationships between CSE, style of coping with stress, social functioning and depression severity among caregivers.

Methods

The study involved 60 caregivers of AD patients who were children of the sick and have been caring for at least one year. It was cross-sectional and assessed by questionnaires. Following tools were used: Core Self-Evaluation, Beck Depression Inventory, Coping Inventory for Stress Situations, Distress Thermometer and an original questionnaire assessing the situation of caregiving.

Results

A total of 51.7% of responders demonstrated severity of depression symptoms, associated to at least one mild clinical depression episode. The factors introduced to the model explained 65% variance of depression symptoms. Predictors of greater depression symptoms proved to be: low CSE (ΔR² = 0.32; β = −0.12), low social support (ΔR² = 0.08; β = −0.27), low life satisfaction (ΔR² = 0.02, β = −0.26), high levels of distress (ΔR² = 0.12, β = 0.31), coping style focused on emotions (ΔR² = 0.12, β = 0.17).

Conclusions

In the area of caregivers’ psychological assistance and depression therapy, interventions leading to increase of CSE and providing adequate social support that contributes to better care provision and maintaining proper self-image, should be taken into consideration.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.