Characterizing Caregiver Outcomes in a Culturally Diverse Sample. (20th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meyer, Oanh L.; Alto, Raquel; Harvey, Danielle J.; Tran, Duyen; Luu, San; Nguyen, Rachel; Hinton, Ladson
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 18(2022)Supplement 8
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-12-20
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.067007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Caring for a family member with cognitive impairment is accompanied by challenges that place caregivers at risk for significant health problems. Yet the study of racially/ethnically diverse caregivers across the spectrum of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (from mild cognitive impairment: MCI to dementia) is understudied. In this study, we characterize caregiver stress and burden and examine their role on caregiver self‐rated health and depressive symptoms. Methods: We enrolled 158 adults (non‐Hispanic White (NHW): 66%; Latino: 16%; Black: 9%; Asian: 8%) caring for a family member with MCI (35%) or dementia (65%). Approximately 37% were recruited from an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) and 63% from the community. Caregivers completed demographic and psychosocial questionnaires online or by paper in English or Spanish. Linear regression models were used to assess associations between perceived stress and burden and caregiver outcomes (depressive symptoms and self‐rated health), controlling for caregiver demographics. Results: Black caregivers reported less burden (mean = 23.7) than NHW caregivers (mean = 35.4), p = .007. There was no difference in perceived stress by race/ethnicity (p = .2). Burden was higher (p = .001) for caregivers of individuals with dementia (mean = 35.9) than those with MCI (mean = 27.6), as was perceived stress (dementia caregivers: mean = 16.0; MCI caregivers: mean = 13.6), p = .03. Higher caregiver burden (p<.001) and perceived stress (p<.001) were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Caregiver burden was not associated with self‐rated health (p = .1); but higher perceived stress was associated with poorer self‐rated health (p<.001). Conclusions: Caregivers of persons with cognitive impairment suffer a substantial burden emotionally and physically. Our results indicate that dementia caregivers may have greater challenges in caring for their family member compared to those caring for someone in the early or milder stages of illness. The racial/ethnic difference may be due to the fact that NHW caregivers actually experience more burden in caregiving; an alternative explanation is that burden may not be felt or manifested in the same way in Black caregivers. Lastly, perceived stress is an important determinant of caregiver health and mental health outcomes. More research is needed to understand the variety of factors associated with caregiver outcomes and how they may differ across racial/ethnic groups.