Coping, social support and depression in informal caregivers and its relationship with unmet needs of people with dementia

Author
Abstract
BACKGROUND Being a caregiver comprises several challenges in order to maintain the wellbeing of people with dementia and their caregivers. The aim of this study was to describe the coping mechanisms, social support and depressive and anxiety symptoms in informal caregivers, and to determine their relationship with unmet needs of people with dementia. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional study with a convenient sample of 166 dyads of informal caregivers and their care-recipients with dementia. Cognitive decline and unmet needs of people with dementia, and caregivers coping, social support and depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed. RESULTS Most frequently used coping mechanism were: acceptance, religion and active coping. Caregivers who use emotion-focused coping strategies have higher social support, less depressive symptoms and their care-recipient shows less unmet needs. Finally, perceived social support acted, respectively, as a total and partial mediator between emotion-focused and dysfunctional coping strategies and people with dementia s unmet needs. CONCLUSION These findings show the importance of enhancing caregivers social networks and developing interventions aimed to increment the use of emotion-focused coping strategies which will ultimately impact positively on persons with dementia.
Keywords
Journal
Ansiedad y Estrés
Year of Publication
2018
Volume
24
Issue
2-3
Number of Pages
73-80
Date Published
jul
Publisher
ISSN Number
1134-7937
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Summary
URL
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1134793718300150
DOI
10.1016/J.ANYES.2018.04.001