Caring for someone with dementia: an investigation of factors associated with carer mood

Pulford, Helen Janet (2015) Caring for someone with dementia: an investigation of factors associated with carer mood. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Objectives. Research indicates that dementia caregivers are at risk of experiencing mental health difficulties. This study examined factors associated with dementia carer anxiety and depression, drawing upon the Stress Process model of Caregiving to explore self-esteem in dementia caregiving.
Methods. Dementia caregivers were invited, via the Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network, to complete a postal survey assessing their gender traits, self-esteem, burden, mental health and care-recipient functioning. Forty-four of 187 caregivers returned questionnaires (24% response rate).
Results. Carer burden and daily caregiving hours best predicted differing experiences of anxiety and depression among carers. High self-esteem was associated with lower anxiety and depression. Traits of masculinity and femininity were not significant predictors of psychological distress. A high percentage of the variance in dementia carer anxiety was explained by factors outlined in the Stress Process model.
Conclusions. This study provides further evidence that carer burden, self-esteem and daily caregiving hours are important predictors of anxiety and depression in dementia caregivers. This emphasizes that dementia caregivers could benefit from interventions reducing carer burden and enhancing self-esteem.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: dementia care; caregivers; anxiety; depression; factors
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: Jackson, Dr. Alison and MacDougall, Dr. Andrew
• Date of Award: 2015
• Depositing User: Dr Helen J Pulford
• Unique ID: glathesis:2015-6753
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Oct 2015 13:13
• Last Modified: 22 Oct 2015 09:22
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/6753