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Psychological Symptomatology in Informal Caregivers of Persons with Dementia: Influences on Health-Related Quality of Life

Author

Listed:
  • Miguel Madruga

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain)

  • Margarita Gozalo

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain)

  • Josué Prieto

    (University School of Education and Tourism, University of Salamanca, 05003 Avila, Spain)

  • José Carmelo Adsuar

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain)

  • Narcis Gusi

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
    CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES), 28029 Madrid, Spain
    International Institute for Innovation in Aging, 10071 Caceres, Spain)

Abstract

Informal caregivers of persons with dementia often report high levels of anxiety, depression and burden. Nonetheless, other less evaluated psychological symptoms might also influence their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to comprehensively analyse other psychological symptoms and their influence on the health-related quality of life of informal caregivers. Fifty-four informal women caregivers and fifty-six women non-caregivers were recruited to participate in the study. Psychological symptoms were assessed using the Symptom Check-List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) questionnaire and the HRQoL with the EuroQoL-Five Dimensions and Three Levels (EurQoL-5D-3L) questionnaire. Significant between-group differences were found in the majority of scales in the SCL-90-R questionnaire ( p < 0.01) and caregivers also reported a worse HRQoL than non-caregivers ( p < 0.05). Several psychological symptoms such as obsession-compulsive (β = 0.47), hostility (β = 0.59), and somatization (β = −0.49) had a significant impact on caregivers’ HRQoL ( R 2 explained between 0.17 and 0.30 of the variance). Caregivers are at a higher risk of suffering other psychological symptoms and show a moderate–high level of psychiatric morbidity, which therefore explains the poorer HRQoL outcomes. Supporting interventions should be provided to mitigate these psychological symptoms in order to improve their general distress and HRQoL.

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel Madruga & Margarita Gozalo & Josué Prieto & José Carmelo Adsuar & Narcis Gusi, 2020. "Psychological Symptomatology in Informal Caregivers of Persons with Dementia: Influences on Health-Related Quality of Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:1078-:d:318120
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Federico Montero-Cuadrado & Laura Barrero-Santiago & Rocío Llamas-Ramos & Inés Llamas-Ramos, 2022. "Musculoskeletal Pain in Family Caregivers: Does a Therapeutic Physical Program in Primary Care Work? A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Federico Montero-Cuadrado & Miguel Ángel Galán-Martín & Javier Sánchez-Sánchez & Enrique Lluch & Agustín Mayo-Iscar & Ántonio Cuesta-Vargas, 2020. "Effectiveness of a Physical Therapeutic Exercise Programme for Caregivers of Dependent Patients: A Pragmatic Randomised Controlled Trial from Spanish Primary Care," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-23, October.
    3. Patricia Otero & Isabel Hita & Ángela J. Torres & Fernando L. Vázquez, 2020. "Brief Psychological Intervention Through Mobile App and Conference Calls for the Prevention of Depression in Non-Professional Caregivers: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-15, June.

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