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Journal of the American Medical... Sep 2023A large body of literature addresses experiences of spouse and adult-children caregiver of individuals with dementia (IWDs) but has not examined the role and strength of...
OBJECTIVES
A large body of literature addresses experiences of spouse and adult-children caregiver of individuals with dementia (IWDs) but has not examined the role and strength of social networks in associations between spouses and adult-children caregivers' experience. Based on the stress process model, we aimed to explore the strength levels of social networks and their association with spouses/adult-children caregivers for IWDs.
DESIGN
A cross-sectional study.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
A questionnaire-based survey was conducted with a total of 146 family caregivers of IWDs (78 adult-child, and 68 spouses) in China.
METHODS
Data collection comprised 4 sections: (1) care-related stressors (dementia stage, neuropsychiatric symptoms); (2) caregiver context; (3) social network, using the Lubben Social Network Scale; and (4) caregiving experience, using the short-form Zarit Burden Interview and 9-item Positive Aspects of Caregiving Scale. Linear regression, mediation model analysis, and interactive analysis were performed to explore the mechanisms of associations between variables.
RESULTS
Spouses had weaker social network strength (β = -0.294, P = .001) and reported greater positive aspects of caregiving (β = 0.234, P = .003) than adult-children caregivers; no significant difference was found between them for caregiver burden. Mediation analysis suggests that associations between caregiver type and caregiver burden are indirect-only mediation effects of social networks (β = 0.140, 95% CI = 0.066-0.228). The social network strength suppressed the association between caregiver type and positive aspects of caregiving. The caregiver type/social network interaction statistically significantly (P = .025) affected the "positive aspects": a stronger social network was associated with more positive aspects of caregiving among the spouse subgroup (β = 0.341, P = .003).
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Social networks mediate responses to caregiving experiences among different care provider types and are vital intervention targets, especially for spousal caregivers. Our results can serve as references for identifying caregivers for clinical intervention.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Spouses; Caregivers; Cross-Sectional Studies; Stress, Psychological; Dementia
PubMed: 37236264
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.04.006 -
Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences Mar 2018This article aimed at identifying the positive emotions connected to spouse caregiving and the advantages for spouse carers. Theoretically, the article is based on the... (Review)
Review
This article aimed at identifying the positive emotions connected to spouse caregiving and the advantages for spouse carers. Theoretically, the article is based on the concept of emotion and the assumptions of positive psychology. Data search is conducted via electronic literature databases and the analysis method is partly theory-driven and partly inductive content classification. Our analyses discover and clarify the concepts associated with positive emotions in caring, such as the gains of caregiving, benefit-finding, finding meaning, personal growth, post-traumatic growth and resilience. We also utilise a conceptual framework to describe positive emotions in caregiving, and the identified advantages of positive emotions in spouse caregiving include distress buffering, mediation in coping with stress, increased quality of life and well-being, and finding a sense of purpose. Finally, spouse care is seen in this article as a challenging life situation which at best can support personal growth, if the processing of both positive and negative emotions is included in daily life. Hence, the service and support system should be developed further by utilising the findings of positive psychology as well as studies of personal growth.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Aged; Caregivers; Female; Humans; Male; Quality of Life; Spouses; Stress, Psychological; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 28543793
DOI: 10.1111/scs.12452 -
Diabetes Care Jun 2021We investigated the risk of depression and anxiety in people whose spouse did or did not have diabetes. We also examined associations between depression and anxiety and...
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the risk of depression and anxiety in people whose spouse did or did not have diabetes. We also examined associations between depression and anxiety and severity of spouse's diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We analyzed prospective self-reported data about diagnosed depression/anxiety and diabetes in cohabiting couples in the national Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) during 1999-2017 ( = 13,500, 128,833 person-years of follow-up, median follow-up 8.1 years). We used Poisson models to estimate incidence and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of depression/anxiety, according to spouse's diabetes status overall and by severity of diabetes.
RESULTS
Age-, sex-, and race-adjusted incidence of depression/anxiety was 8.0/1,000 person-years (95% CI 6.5, 9.6) among those whose spouse had diabetes and 6.5/1,000 person-years (95% CI 6.0, 6.9) among those whose spouse did not have diabetes. Those whose spouse had diabetes had higher risk of depression/anxiety (IRR 1.24 [95% CI 1.01, 1.53]). Those whose spouse had diabetes-related limitations in daily activities (IRR 1.89 [95% CI 1.35, 2.67]) and diabetes combined with other chronic conditions (IRR 2.34 [95% CI 1.78, 3.09]) were more likely to develop depression/anxiety, while those whose spouse had diabetes with no limitations or additional chronic conditions had incidence of depression/anxiety similar to that of subjects whose spouses did not have diabetes.
CONCLUSIONS
People living with a spouse with diabetes are at higher risk of developing depression/anxiety than people whose spouse does not have diabetes; this risk is driven by the severity of the spouse's diabetes. Strategies to address the impacts of diabetes on families need to be devised and tested.
Topics: Anxiety; Depression; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Incidence; Prospective Studies; Spouses
PubMed: 33863752
DOI: 10.2337/dc20-2652 -
JAMA Network Open Apr 2024Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a known risk factor for depression, evidence is lacking regarding whether and to what extent a spouse's CVD is associated with...
IMPORTANCE
Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a known risk factor for depression, evidence is lacking regarding whether and to what extent a spouse's CVD is associated with the subsequent mental health of individuals.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between CVD onset in spouses and subsequent depression.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This cohort study examined 277 142 matched married couples enrolled in the Japan Health Insurance Association health insurance program between April 2015 and March 2022, covering approximately 40% of the working-age population in Japan. Index individuals (primary insured) whose spouses (dependent) experienced incident CVD between April 2016 and March 2022 were 1:1 matched to controls whose spouses did not experience CVD. Matching was based on age, sex, income, or the onset date of the spouses' CVD. Data analysis was conducted from April 2016 to March 2022.
EXPOSURE
Spousal onset of CVD between fiscal years 2016 and 2021. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision codes were used to identify the composite CVD outcomes (stroke, heart failure, and myocardial infarction).
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the association between spouses' new-onset CVD and individuals' depression, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities of index individuals (diabetes, hypertension, and CVD) and spouses (diabetes, hypertension, and depression). Subgroup analyses were conducted according to sex, age, income levels, and history of CVD.
RESULTS
Among 277 142 matched pairs of married couples, 263 610 (95.1%) had a male index individual; the mean (SD) age of index individuals was 58.2 (10.2) years. A new onset of depression was observed in 4876 individuals (1.8%). In multivariable Cox models, there was an association between the spouse's CVD and the individuals' depression (hazard ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.07-1.20]). The subgroup analysis found no evidence of heterogeneity in sex, age, income level, or CVD history. The results were consistent when additionally adjusted for health behaviors (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and use of antihypertensive drugs) and objectively measured physical health conditions (body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, glucose levels, and estimated glomerular filtration rate) (hazard ratio, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.06-1.28]).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this nationwide cohort study of matched couples, a spouse's onset of CVD was associated with an increased risk of an individual's depression. These findings highlight the importance of preventive care for mental health disorders in individuals whose spouses experience incident CVD.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Spouses; Cohort Studies; Depression; Hypertension; Myocardial Infarction; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38607629
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.4602 -
Psychological Reports Apr 2019Whether or not socially desirable responding is a cause for concern in personality assessment has long been debated. For many researchers, McCrae and Costa laid the...
Whether or not socially desirable responding is a cause for concern in personality assessment has long been debated. For many researchers, McCrae and Costa laid the issue to rest when they showed that correcting for socially desirable responding in self-reports did not improve the agreement with spouse ratings on the Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness to Experience Personality Inventory. However, their findings rest on the assumption that observer ratings in general, and spouse ratings in particular, are an unbiased external criterion. If spouse ratings are also susceptible to socially desirable responding, correcting for the bias in self-rated measures cannot be assumed to increase agreement between self-reports and spouse ratings, and thus failure to do so should not be taken as evidence for the ineffectiveness of measuring and correcting for socially desirable responding. In the present study, McCrae and Costa's influential study was replicated with the exception of measuring socially desirable responding with the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, in both self-reports and spouse ratings. Analyses were based on responses from 70 couples who had lived together for at least one year. The results showed that both self-reports and spouse ratings are susceptible to socially desirable responding and thus McCrae and Costa's conclusion is drawn into question.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Personality; Self Report; Social Desirability; Social Perception; Spouses; Young Adult
PubMed: 29648502
DOI: 10.1177/0033294118767815 -
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Sep 2023This is the first study to estimate the prevalence and predictors of spouse and patient perceptions of global/overall personality change (PC) in patients with multiple...
OBJECTIVES
This is the first study to estimate the prevalence and predictors of spouse and patient perceptions of global/overall personality change (PC) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
METHODS
69 clinic patients and their spouses completed parallel measures of perceived PC and semantic differential scales measuring pre-MS and current specific behaviours. We correlated perceived personality changes with the following measures of perceived physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning: MS Impact Scale, MS Neuropsychological Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-FastScreen; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Family Questionnaire, McMaster Assessment Device; and Social Provisions Scale.
RESULTS
Spouses and patients reported comparable levels of substantial change. Both associated PC with patient distress, perceived cognitive impairment, spouse distress, and poorer family functioning. Spouse, but not patient, PC ratings predicted severity of physical symptoms and social support. Principal component analysis of semantic differential ratings yielded a Compassionate Empathy component correlating with PC within spouse, but not patient, data.
CONCLUSIONS
These partially overlapping potential triggers for spouse and patient PC judgments raise questions about the extent they overlap with clinicians' criteria for PC, since spouses did not link impulsivity with PC. It is also suggested that the initial focus of treatment of PC should focus on partner-agreed changes.
Topics: Humans; Spouses; Judgment; Social Support; Personality; Multiple Sclerosis
PubMed: 35857651
DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2022.2101478 -
Archives of Environmental &... 2021Whether the spouse's employment status would be associated with individual's mental health condition is uncertain. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate...
OBJECTIVES
Whether the spouse's employment status would be associated with individual's mental health condition is uncertain. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of spouse's employment status on depression.
METHODS
Data included the second to sixth wave of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA). Depression was measured based on the CES-D10. Spouse's employment status was divided into 4 categories based on their employment changes.
RESULTS
Participants with still unemployed spouse were more likely to have high scores of depression (male: β = 0.32, female: β = 0.42). Participants who are employed and have unemployed spouse have higher depression scores (male: β = 0.45, female: β = 0.77).
CONCLUSION
This study identified the effect of spouse's employment status on depression by gender, and the results were significant. We should consider the possibility of conducting interventions with people who are remained unemployed.
Topics: Aged; Depression; Employment; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Republic of Korea; Spouses; Unemployment
PubMed: 33377434
DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2020.1860876 -
The Journal of Pain Oct 2019Patient beliefs and perceptions about the causes and meaning of their chronic pain are related to their psychosocial functioning. Beliefs and perceptions about chronic...
Patient beliefs and perceptions about the causes and meaning of their chronic pain are related to their psychosocial functioning. Beliefs and perceptions about chronic pain held by spouses may also be related to patient functioning. We used a laboratory procedure to evaluate whether spouse beliefs about and perceptions of chronic pain were related to spouse negative responses toward patients with chronic low back pain during a conflictual discussion and to their attributions about patient pain behavior during a subsequent pain-induction task. Patients (n = 71) and their spouses (n = 71) participated in a 10-minute discussion followed by the patient undergoing a 10-minute structured pain behavior task. Findings were that a) spouse perceptions that patient's pain was a mystery were significantly related to greater patient perceived spouse critical/invalidating responses toward the patient during the discussion; and b) spouse perceptions that patient's pain was a mystery were related to internal and negative attributions spouses made while observing patients display pain behaviors during the structured pain behavior task. Inasmuch as both spouse critical/invalidating speech toward patients and negative attributions regarding the cause of patient behavior are related to poor patient functioning, spouse uncertainty about the source and potential legitimacy of their partner's pain may play crucial roles in affecting patient well-being. PERSPECTIVE: Spouse beliefs about and perceptions of patient chronic pain were related to spouse behavior toward patients during a discussion and to attributions explaining patient pain during physical activity. If spouse confusion and doubt about patient pain is related to negative behavior and attributions, then modifying these perceptions may be a fundamental intervention target.
Topics: Adult; Chronic Pain; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Illness Behavior; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Middle Aged; Musculoskeletal Pain; Social Perception; Spouses; Uncertainty
PubMed: 30954540
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.04.001 -
The American Journal of Geriatric... Mar 2022The loss of a spouse is a common and natural life event for older adults. Nearly one of four older bereaved spouses experience prolonged grief, impaired function or... (Review)
Review
The loss of a spouse is a common and natural life event for older adults. Nearly one of four older bereaved spouses experience prolonged grief, impaired function or chronic depression. Mechanisms underlying these and other long-term health risks are not well understood. We conducted a scoping literature review to examine the interventions and outcomes that have been studied for late-life spousal bereavement to date. We identified 22 studies of group and individual-level interventions with most studies concerning grief processes within the first year. Nearly all studies evaluated emotional and psychological symptoms of loss and a small number evaluated the restoration of adaptive functioning. Four interventions addressed the treatment of complicated grief or grief with major depressive disorder. Qualitative studies explored themes of spirituality and mindfulness. There were 17 controlled studies, including 13 randomized controlled trials. Findings were eclectic, with evidence supporting mindfulness techniques in a group format for emotional and life satisfaction outcomes; an individual, function-based therapy addressing sleep to improve emotion and function; an individual, writing-based emotional expression therapy for short-term improvement in emotion and function; nortriptyline for the treatment of bereavement-related major depressive disorder; a group-based, complicated grief therapy for this condition; an internet-based CBT intervention for prolonged grief; and pharmacotherapy for cardiovascular changes during bereavement. These findings highlight the small literature of methodologically strong intervention studies addressing spousal bereavement in older adults and the need for greater exploration of relevant biological, social, cognitive and behavioral factors to improve short and long term health outcomes.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Aged; Bereavement; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Grief; Humans; Spouses
PubMed: 34493416
DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2021.08.002 -
Journal of Speech, Language, and... Apr 2022The purpose of this study was to (a) review methods used to assess quality of life (QOL) in caregivers, partners, and spouses of those who have undergone total... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to (a) review methods used to assess quality of life (QOL) in caregivers, partners, and spouses of those who have undergone total laryngectomy (TL); (b) identify patterns in caregiver QOL changes postoperatively; and (c) review previously proposed interventions for caregivers.
METHOD
PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL Complete were searched using the Medical Subject Heading terms , , , and . Two reviewers independently screened and identified records meeting inclusion criteria. This scoping review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
RESULTS
Initial search returned 143 results and 12 met inclusion criteria. Eight studies assessed postoperative QOL changes in categories such as psychological health, physical health, sexuality, and interpersonal relationships. Four studies proposed interventions for caregivers perioperatively. There were no consistently used inventories, and only one intervention was formally tested.
CONCLUSIONS
The literature available on TL caregiver QOL contains inconsistent inventories and study design. There are few interventions available, and it would be beneficial to develop a standardized QOL inventory for this population to better target caregiver needs.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.19287887.
Topics: Caregivers; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Quality of Life; Spouses
PubMed: 35245083
DOI: 10.1044/2021_JSLHR-21-00404