| Publication Abstract Display | | Type: Published Manuscript | | Title: Avoidant coping partially mediates the relationship between patient problem behaviors and depressive symptoms in spousal Alzheimer caregivers. | | Authors: Mausbach BT | | Contact: Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California 92093-0680, USA. bmausbach@ucsd.edu | | Year: 2006 | | Publication: The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry | | Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Pages: 299-306 | | Abstract:OBJECTIVE: Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer disease is a highly stressful experience that is associated with significant depressive symptoms. Previous studies indicate a positive association between problem behaviors in patients with Alzheimer disease (e.g., repeating questions, restlessness, and agitation) and depressive symptoms in their caregivers. Moreover, the extant literature indicates a robust negative relationship between escape-avoidance coping (i.e., avoiding people, wishing the situation would go away) and psychiatric well-being. The purpose of this study was to test a mediational model of the associations between patient problem behaviors, escape-avoidance coping, and depressive symptoms in Alzheimer caregivers. METHODS: Ninety-five spousal caregivers (mean age: 72 years) completed measures assessing their loved ones` frequency of problem behaviors, escape-avoidance coping, and depressive symptoms. A mediational model was tested to determine if escape-avoidant coping partially mediated the relationship between patient problem behaviors and caregiver depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Patient problem behaviors were positively associated with escape-avoidance coping (beta = 0.38, p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms (beta = 0.26, p < 0.05). Escape-avoidance coping was positively associated with depressive symptoms (beta = 0.33, p < 0.01). In a final regression analysis, the impact of problem behaviors on depressive symptoms was less after controlling for escape-avoidance coping. Sobel`s test confirmed that escape-avoidance coping significantly mediated the relationship between problem behaviors and depressive symptoms (z = 2.07, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Escape-avoidance coping partially mediates the association between patient problem behaviors and depressive symptoms among elderly caregivers of spouses with dementia. This finding provides a specific target for psychosocial interventions for caregivers. | | Funding: NIA:AG AG 08415, NIA:AG AG 15301, NIA:AG AG 23989 | | Keywords: Adaptation, Psychological, Aged, Alzheimer Disease, Caregivers, Demography, Depression, Escape Reaction, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Disorders, Middle Aged, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Spouses |
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