Association of life events and psychological distress in family caregivers of dementia patients

J. E. Owen, D. L. Roth, A. B. Stevens, H. J. McCarty, O. J. Clay, V. G. Wadley, K. T. Goode, W. E. Haley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Relationships between life events and psychological distress were investigated for 197 dementia caregivers and 218 non-caregivers. Participants indicated which events on the Louisville Older Persons Events Scale they had experienced over the past six months. Life events were then classified as associated or unassociated with care-giving using differences in incidence rates between caregivers and non-caregivers. Primary care-giving stressors and associated life events were most predictive of psychological distress among caregivers. Among non-caregivers, unassociated negative life events were the strongest predictors of depression and life satisfaction. Implications for the assessment of life events and caregiver interventions are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)62-71
Number of pages10
JournalAging and Mental Health
Volume6
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Phychiatric Mental Health
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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