Burden and Heart Rate Variability in Bipolar Disorder Family Caregivers. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, Elizabeth; Zauszniewski, Jaclene A.
• Other Names: Bakas Tamilyn guest-editor.; Miller Elaine L. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Western journal of nursing research. Volume 44:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 279
• Page End: 287
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: caregiver stress -- race -- gender -- heart rate variability -- HRV -- bipolar disorder; Nursing -- Research -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Research -- West (U.S.) -- Periodicals; Nursing -- West (U.S.) -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing Research -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- Recherche -- États-Unis (Ouest) -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- États-Unis (Ouest) -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers; Recherche; États-Unis (Ouest); Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 610.730702
• DOI: 10.1177/01939459211063660
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0193-9459

Abstract

Family caregivers of persons with bipolar disorder experience considerable stress. Yet, studies have not examined whether their stress differs by race and gender. This preliminary analysis of baseline data from 228 African American and White family caregivers of adults with bipolar disorder who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial examined race and gender differences on two validated self-report measures of psychological stress (caregiver burden and caregiver reactions) and an electrocardiography device used to capture heart rate variability (HRV). No statistically significant differences were found by race or gender on either measure of psychological stress. African American caregivers had significantly lower scores on two indices of HRV compared to White caregivers. Women had significantly lower scores on one index of HRV compared to men. Low HRV indicates greater stress and mortality risk. Future research should include HRV to measure caregiver stress and implement relevant interventions.