J Korean Acad Nurs.  2003 Dec;33(7):936-944.

Predictors of Depression among Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia

• Lee HJ
• Kim YS
• Kim KR
• Kim JS
• Seo JM

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to identify important predictors of depression among characteristics of caregiving situation and utilized resources in order to provide basic information for effective nursing interventions to reduce depression experienced by family caregivers of older adults with dementia. METHOD: Seventy one family caregivers were identified from community service centers and face-to-face interviewed using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression using SPSS WIN 10.0 program. RESULT: Family caregivers reported high levels of depression, moderate levels of social support, and moderate utilization of coping strategies. Female caregivers who (beta=.22) utilized 'negative' coping strategies more often (beta=.48) and 'cognitive reconstructuring' coping strategies less often (beta=-.23) were more likely to report higher depression (R2=0.63). CONCLUSION: Nursing interventions increasing family caregivers' utilization of positive coping strategies such as problem solving, existential growth, and help seeking and decreasing their utilization of negative coping strategies such as self-blaming are needed to decrease their depression levels.

Keyword

Dementia; Caregivers; Coping; Social support; Depression

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Caregivers*
Dementia*
Depression*
Female
Humans
Methods
Nursing
Problem Solving
Social Welfare