Filial maturity as predictor of caregiver burden in adult children of demented patients

Abstract

Introduction

Filial maturity has been discussed as important part of a successful development. In this study we investigated, whether it is related to the subjective burden of care for demented parents.

Method

N=61 adult children, who took care for a demented mother and/or father were recruited fort his study. We used the following scales and tests: The Louvain Filial Maturity Scale, the Freiburger Persönlichkeitsinventar for the personality profile, the Symptom Check List (SCL-90) for general psychopathology, the Nurses Observation Geriatric Scale (NOSGER) for the caregiver-rated symptom profile of the demented parent, the Zarit Burden Interview for caregiver burden. The demented parent was investigated by experts using a standardised interview for the diagnosis of dementia (SIDAM) and the Mini Mental Status Test for dementia severity

Results and conclusion

Overall filial maturity was not related to the subjective caregiver burden as measured in this study. However, higher “parental consideration” was related to lower burden. And higher “filial obligation” was related to later nursing home admission. The construct deserves further scientific interest in this context.