An Examination of Positive and Negative Dementia Caregiving Experiences

Objectives: We examined associations among three measures of caregiver experiences (i.e., positive aspects of caring [PAC], caregiver burden, and mutuality) in 228 dyads involving persons with dementia (PWD) and their informal caregivers. The associations between predisposing, enabling, and need factors and each of these three measures of caregiver experiences were also examined. Methods: We used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of a psychosocial intervention aimed at preventing aggression in PWD. Associations among PAC, caregiver burden, and mutuality were examined. The Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization guided the selection of predisposing, enabling, and need components. Results: Enabling characteristics (e.g., race/ethnicity, caregiver education and employment and PWD education) and most predisposing characteristics (e.g., caregiver age, PWD age, relationship type) were not associated with any caregiving experience measures. Need characteristics (e.g., levels of memory and functional impairment, behavioral problems, depression, pleasant events) were associated with the caregiving experience. Conclusions: Bivariate correlations between PAC, caregiver burden, and mutuality were between -0.20 and -0.58. Predisposing, enabling, and need factors were differentially associated with outcomes, with need characteristics being most frequently associated with various aspects of caregiving. Clinical implications: Assessment of both positive and negative aspects of caregiving is important. Particular attention to depression and interventions that improve depressive symptoms may increase PAC and mutuality and reduce caregiver burden.

Automated summary

This study examined the associations among caregiver experiences, including positive aspects of caring, caregiver burden, and mutuality, in dyads involving persons with dementia and their informal caregivers. The results showed that need characteristics were most frequently associated with the caregiving experience. Bivariate correlations between positive aspects of caring, caregiver burden, and mutuality were moderate to strong. Assessment of both positive and negative aspects of caregiving, as well as attention to depression and interventions targeting depressive symptoms, may be important in reducing caregiver burden and enhancing positive aspects of caregiving.