Research has consistently found that adverse effects on the mental health of AD caregiving spouses, especially in the form of depressive symptomatology (DS), has been much higher than other caregiver groups or age related population norms, with higher levels reported by female caregivers. To improve the mental health of AD caregivers, nurses must first understand the complexities and gender differences that lead to DS. Data from a sample of 102 AD spousal caregivers enrolled at a mid-west AD Research Center were analyzed to examine the relationship between gender and DS and the relationship each had with the following selected variables: expressive support, satisfaction with social activities, relational deprivation, sense of self and loneliness. The conceptual framework was based on Pearlin, Mullan, Semple and Skaff's (1990) Caregiver Stress Process Model. For wives, higher levels of DS were associated with lower levels of satisfaction with social activities (r=-.64, p < .01), sense of self (r=-.59, p < .01), and expressive support (r=-.26, p < .05),and higher levels of loneliness (r=.60, p < .01) and relational deprivation (r=.50, p < .01). For husbands, higher levels of DS were associated with lower levels of sense of self (r=-.65, p < .01), and satisfaction with social activities (r=-.64, p < .01), and higher levels of loneliness (r=.64, p < .01) and relational deprivation (r=.39, p < .05). Utilizing stepwise regression, 61% of the total variance of wife caregivers' DS was explained, with satisfaction with social activities explaining 40%, sense of self 16%, and loneliness was 5%. Husband caregivers' total variance was 52%, with sense of self explaining 41% and loneliness 11%. Nurses must assess, educate and intervene to specifically help AD caregiving husbands and wives maintain optimal mental health during the caregiving process.
Session #1183 - Cognitive Impairment
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)