title: The relationship between mastery and depression among Japanese family caregivers.
abstract: The present study examined the relationship between caregiver mastery and depressive symptoms among family stroke caregivers in western Japan (N = 100). Family caregivers were identified from a sample of rehabilitation hospitals; participation rate was 100 percent for all eligible caregivers. Caregivers with high mastery were found to have significantly fewer depressive symptoms than low mastery caregivers and were significantly more likely to use a respite caregiver. They also reported significantly less burden, yet paradoxically were significantly more likely to rate their care-recipients as more functionally dependent on them. Caregiver age, health status, and caregiving duration did not relate to mastery. However, men had a significantly higher sense of mastery. In general, findings parallel those for Western family caregivers, although mean mastery scores for Japanese caregivers were lower than those reported for American family caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Japanese Red Cross Kyushu International University, Division of Gerontological Research, Munakata City, Fukuoka, Japan. a-streit@jrckicn.ac.jp
authors.forename: Andrea S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Schreiner
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morimoto
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D020521:Stroke