Distressing emotions in female caregivers of people with AIDS, age-related dementias, and advanced-stage cancers.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and compare the depressive mood, anxiety, anger, and sleep problems of informal female caregivers of people with AIDS, age-related dementias (ARD), and cancer (CA).


METHODS
Caregivers recruited from clinics serving people with AIDS, ARD, and CA were interviewed using structured instruments measuring depressive symptoms, anxiety, anger, and sleep problems. Data analysis compared these emotions in the caregivers and related aspects of the caregiving situation to these emotions within each group.


RESULTS
Caregivers did not differ significantly in depressive mood, but did differ in anxiety and anger and sleep problems. Individual items on each scale were compared to provide more descriptive detail. In each group, distressing emotions were significantly related to each other and to sleep problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Caregivers of people with AIDS, ARD, and CA experience distressing emotions that may affect their mental and physical health. A comprehensive approach to mental health nursing therapy will best meet the needs of caregivers in relieving their distress.
Flaskerud
J H
JH
UCLA School of Nursing, Los Angeles, USA. jflasker@sonnet.ucla.edu
Carter
P A
PA
Lee
P
P
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*