title: Loneliness and depression in spousal caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease versus non-caregiving spouses.
abstract: Loneliness as a factor in the development of depression in Alzheimer's disease (AD) spousal caregivers has been given little attention. In this sample, 49 AD caregiving spouses reported significantly higher levels of loneliness and depression than did 52 non-caregiving spouses. AD caregiving wives reported greater loss of self and significantly higher levels of loneliness and depression than did AD caregiving husbands. Loneliness was the only predictive variable for AD caregiver depression, explaining 49% of the total variance. To meet the mental health needs of AD caregiving spouses, loneliness must be addressed along with the development of nursing interventions.
authors.affiliation: William F Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3812, USA. B29111@aol.com
authors.forename: Rose A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Beeson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D015146:Midwestern United States; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires