Prevalence and related factors of depression and anxiety in a cohort of Chinese elderly caregivers in the nursing home

Background: The heavy care burden, the long-term dependence of the disabled elderly, and the changing social roles can put elderly caregivers at high risk for mental disorders. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and related factors of depression and anxiety among elderly caregivers and examine the role of resilience in depression and anxiety. Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional survey was designed. A total of 953 elderly caregivers in nursing homes were recruited in three provinces in China using convenience sampling. Depression and anxiety were measured by self-rating depression scale (SDS) and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the key factors associated with depression and anxiety. Results: : The median SDS score was 40 (interquartile interval 34-48), and the median SAS score was 48 (interquartile interval 38-56). In this cohort, 19.4% reported depression and 44.0% anxiety. Working hours, sensitive personality and health status were related factors for depression symptom. In terms of anxiety symptoms, its related factors included working hours, health status and higher monthly income. Furthermore, resilience was associated with depression and anxiety among caregivers. Limitations: A selection bias may be caused by convenience sampling and voluntary participation. Conclusion: Depression and anxiety symptoms were common in the cohort of Chinese elderly caregivers in the nursing home. The factors explored in this study may contribute to the development of individualized interventions for depression and anxiety symptoms.

Automated summary

Depression and anxiety symptoms are common among elderly caregivers in nursing homes in China, with factors such as working hours, health status, and resilience playing a role. These factors may contribute to the development of individualized interventions for depression and anxiety symptoms.