Caregivers' descriptions of sleep changes and depressive symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
To describe caregiver sleep and depression using caregiver narratives. To compare qualitative descriptions with quantitative scores.


METHODS
Descriptive, one-time, open-ended interview followed by structured sleep and depression questions.


METHODS
Interview conducted in person or via telephone at caregiver's preference.


METHODS
47 caregivers of patients with advanced stage cancer. Caregivers had a mean age of 54 years, and most were female (81%), Caucasian (82%), and spouses (61%). They provided care for a mean of 24 months. Patients' diagnoses were lung cancer (36%), colorectal cancer (13%), or recurrences (51%).


METHODS
Two cancer care sites in southern California provided participants. After consent, the researcher conducted interviews. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) instruments were administered following interviews.


METHODS
Sleep pattern changes and depression levels over time as defined by caregivers.


RESULTS
Caregivers described severe fluctuations in sleep patterns over time and how these changes affected caregiver depressive symptoms. PSQI and CES-D scores matched narrative comments.


CONCLUSIONS
Caregivers' narratives suggest they suffer progressive sleep deprivation that affects their emotions and ability to continue as caregivers.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses must recognize the severe sleep problems experienced by caregivers and respond with interventions to increase sleep quality and decrease depression.
Carter
Patricia A
PA
School of Nursing, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA. pcarter@mail.nur.utexas.edu
D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D002140:California; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012890:Sleep; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires