J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2022 Aug;61(3):162-169. 10.4306/jknpa.2022.61.3.162.

Depression, Anxiety and Associated Factors in Family Caregivers of People With Dementia

• Hong SJ
• Ko E
• Choi M
• Sung NJ
• Han MI

• KMID: 2532708
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2022.61.3.162

Abstract

Objectives
This study examined the level of depression and anxiety and the related factors, especially the knowledge and attitudes towards dementia, of people caring for a family member with dementia.
Methods
Data on the demographics, care burdens, and clinical characteristics of dementia patients and their family caregivers were collected. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Korean Screening Tool for Anxiety disorders (K-ANX), Dementia Knowledge Scale (DKS), and Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS) were performed. This study investigated whether depression and anxiety of caregivers differed according to the caregivers, patients, and the burden of caregivers. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the potential factors that may influence the psychological symptoms in family caregivers.
Results
There were 135 respondents. The scores of CES-D and K-ANX were 19.18±12.05 (probable depression) and 11.48±8.88 (mild anxiety), respectively. There was a significant difference in the degree of depression according to the level of education (F=4.14, p<0.05), the severity of dementia (F=3.63, p<0.05), and cohabitation with patients with dementia (t=2.07, p<0.05). On the other hand, the difference in the degree of anxiety was not significant depending on the stratified potential factors. The degree of depression in caregivers was positively associated with severe dementia (β=0.252, p<0.01) and negatively associated with the DAS score (β= -0.392, p<0.001). Anxiety was only inversely affected by the DAS score (β=-0.369, p<0.001).
Conclusion
This study shows that family caregivers of people with dementia experience high levels of depression and anxiety, which are influenced by the patient’s severity of dementia and the caregiver’s attitude toward dementia.

Keyword

Dementia; Family caregivers; Depression; Anxiety; Attitude toward dementia