Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Relationship Matters in Dementia Caregiving: A Comparative Study in West Bengal, India

Relationship Matters in Dementia Caregiving: A Comparative Study in West Bengal, India Numerous studies have revealed that adverse health issues are common in demented caregivers; however, less is known about the health consequences of spouse caregivers. The purpose of this study was to compare the psychological health of spousal and non-spousal caregivers of demented individuals. In addition, it also examined the association and strength of the relationship between spouse and non-spousal caregivers’ socio-economic condition. This was a cross-sectional study that included 136 caregivers of demented individuals. Among them, 55.89% (n = 76) were a spouse. The findings suggest that spousal caregivers who care for their demented spouse feel higher anxiety and depressive symptoms as compared with non-spousal caregivers. Socio-demographic factors were shown to be an important predictor of spousal caregivers’ mental health condition. The findings of this study have major policy implications owing to the predicted increase in demand for caregivers, especially spousal caregivers, as the incidence rate of dementia rises over time. It is essential that we endorse not only the health of the care-recipient but also the spousal caregiver as well. We believe that improving access to caregivers’ respite programs would benefit spousal caregivers. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of the Anthropological Survey of India SAGE

Relationship Matters in Dementia Caregiving: A Comparative Study in West Bengal, India

Download PDF
13 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/sage/relationship-matters-in-dementia-caregiving-a-comparative-study-in-yf016Ee4DD
Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
© 2023 Anthropological Survey of India
ISSN
2277-436X
eISSN
2632-4369
DOI
10.1177/2277436x231152974
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Numerous studies have revealed that adverse health issues are common in demented caregivers; however, less is known about the health consequences of spouse caregivers. The purpose of this study was to compare the psychological health of spousal and non-spousal caregivers of demented individuals. In addition, it also examined the association and strength of the relationship between spouse and non-spousal caregivers’ socio-economic condition. This was a cross-sectional study that included 136 caregivers of demented individuals. Among them, 55.89% (n = 76) were a spouse. The findings suggest that spousal caregivers who care for their demented spouse feel higher anxiety and depressive symptoms as compared with non-spousal caregivers. Socio-demographic factors were shown to be an important predictor of spousal caregivers’ mental health condition. The findings of this study have major policy implications owing to the predicted increase in demand for caregivers, especially spousal caregivers, as the incidence rate of dementia rises over time. It is essential that we endorse not only the health of the care-recipient but also the spousal caregiver as well. We believe that improving access to caregivers’ respite programs would benefit spousal caregivers.

Journal

Journal of the Anthropological Survey of India – SAGE

Published: Jun 1, 2023

Keywords: Dementia; spousal caregivers; psychological health; India

References

  • Specific effects of caring for a spouse with dementia: differences in depressive symptoms between caregiver and non-caregiver spouses
    Adams, K. B.
  • Depression among caregivers of patients with dementia
    Alfakhri, A. S.; Alshudukhi, A. W.; Alqahtani, A. A.; Alhumaid, A. M.; Alhathlol, O. A.; Almojali, A. I.
  • Quality of life, time commitment and burden perceived by the principal informal caregiver of Alzheimer’s patients
    Badia, L. X.; Lara, S. N.; Roset Gamisans, M.
  • Factors related to adverse mental health condition of demented family caregivers: A study in West Bengal, India
    Basu, I.; Mukhopadhyay, S.
  • Psychological health of dementia caregivers: An overview
    Basu, I.; Mukhopadhyay, S.
  • Family caregiving in dementia: Caregivers’ mental health and nature of caregiving
    Basu, I.; Mukhopadhyay, S.; Maulik, N.
  • Dementia caregiving in spousal relationships: a dyadic perspective
    Braun, M.; Scholz, U.; Bailey, B.; Perren, S.; Hornung, R.; Martin, M.
  • Transitions in spousal caregiving
    Burton, L. C.; Zdaniuk, B.; Schulz, R.; Jackson, S.; Hirsch, C.
  • Familial caregivers of older adults
    Cassie, K. M.; Sanders, S.
  • A global measure of perceived stress
    Cohen, S.; Kamarck, T.; Mermelstein, R.
  • Health and quality of life of family and professional caregivers of dependent elderly: A comparative study
    Flores, N.; Jenaro, C.; Moro, L.; Tomşa, R.
  • Modeling caregiver adaptation over time: the longitudinal impact of behavior problems
    Gaugler, J. E.; Davey, A.; Pearlin, L. I.; Zarit, S. H.
  • Caring for an elderly person: predictors of burden in dementia care
    Graftstrom, M.; Fratiglioni, L.; Winblad, B.
  • Health related quality of life and fitness of the caregiver of patient with dementia
    Gusi, N.; Prieto, J.; Madruga, M.; Garcia, J. M.; Gonzalez-Guerrero, J. L.
  • The assessment of anxiety states by rating
    Hamilton, M.
  • Impact of caregiving on health and quality of life: A comparative population-based study of caregivers for elderly persons and noncaregivers
    Ho, S. C.; Chan, A.; Woo, J.; Chong, P.; Sham, A.
  • Assessing attitudes and behaviours surrounding Alzheimer’s disease in Europe: Key findings of the important perspectives on Alzheimer’s care and reatment (IMPACT) survey
    Jones, R. W.; Mackell, J.; Berthet, K.; Knox, S.
  • Predictors of caregiver burden in caregivers of individuals with dementia
    Kim, H.; Chang, M.; Rose, K.; Kim, S.
  • The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure
    Kroenke, K.; Spitzer, R. L.; Williams, J. B.
  • The Caregiver Activity Survey (CAS): Longitudinal validation of an instrument that measures time spent caregiving for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease
    Marin, D. B.; Dugue, M.; Schmeidler, J.; Santoro, J.; Neugroschl, J.; Zaklad, G.; Brickman, A.; Schnur, E.; Hoblyn, J.; Davis, K. L.
  • Caregiving demands of patients with Alzheimer’s disease
    Martinson, I. M.; Chesla, C.; Muwaswes, M.
  • Caregiver burden in Alzheimer disease: Cross-sectional and longitudinal patient correlates
    Mohamed, S.; Rosenheck, R.; Lyketsos, C. G.; Schneider, L. S.
  • Implications of differential impacts of care-giving for future research on Alzheimer care
    Montgomery, R. J. V.; Williams, K. N.
  • Differences between caregivers and non-caregivers in psychological health and physical health: a meta-analysis
    Pinquart, M.; Sörensen, S.
  • Marital quality and personal well-being: A meta-analysis
    Proulx, C. M.; Helms, H. M.; Buehler, C.
  • Behavioural problems in patients with dementia and their burden on carers
    Regiane, G.; Almeida, O. P.
  • Family caregiving of persons with dementia: Prevalence, health effects, and support strategies
    Schulz, R.; Martire, L. M.
  • Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures
    Thies, W.; Bleiler, L.
  • Is caregiving hazardous to one’s physical health? A Meta-Analysis
    Vitaliano,, P. P.; Zhang,, J.; Scanlan,, J. M.
  • Health consequences of caregiver stress
    Wright, L. K.; Clipp, E. C.; George, L. K.