4.5 Article

Effects of Daily Stressors on the Psychological and Biological Well-being of Spouses of Persons With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Publisher

OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbr041

Keywords

Cortisol; Daily diaries; Distress; Mild cognitive impairment; Stress process model

Funding

  1. Commonwealth of Virginia [08-1]
  2. Alzheimer's Association [IIRG-03-5926, IIRG-07-59078]

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Objectives: This research documents spousal accounts of daily symptoms and behaviors of their husbands or wives with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and assesses how MCI-related symptoms and care needs are associated with spouse care partners' psychological well-being and biomarkers of physiological wear and tear. Method: Thirty spouse care partners participated in a 7-day diary study and reported on behavior problems associated with MCI as well as daily stressors and strains they experienced. They also provided saliva samples on 4 of the study days. Results: Multilevel models revealed daily variability and change in psychological affect and the diurnal cortisol rhythm. Daily primary stressors, everyday secondary strains, and marital interactions predicted these changes. Discussion: The findings document the negative physiological effects of having a spouse with MCI and provide new details on probable causes of psychological and biological distress. They shed light on MCI-specific interventions to address couples' needs before severe disease progression occurs that could interfere with spouses' ability to provide home-based care and support.

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