Predictors of distress in caregivers of persons with a primary malignant brain tumor.
The purpose of this cross-sectional, descriptive study was to identify predictors of distress for family caregivers of persons with a primary malignant brain tumor (PMBT). The effect of the care recipient's functional, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric status on caregiver burden and depressive symptoms was examined through telephone interviews with 95 caregivers. Care recipients' neuropsychiatric status consistently affected caregivers' depressive symptoms and burden, and assisting with activities of daily living affected burden related to caregivers' schedules and health. The care recipient's cognitive status and need for assistance with instrumental activities of daily living did not affect any outcome variable. Results may help identify caregivers at risk for negative outcomes, and suggest interventions to improve caregivers' emotional health.
School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Paula R
PR
Sherwood
Barbara A
BA
Given
Charles W
CW
Given
Rachel F
RF
Schiffman
Daniel L
DL
Murman
Mary
M
Lovely
Alexander
A
von Eye
Lisa R
LR
Rogers
Sandy
S
Remer
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001932:Brain Neoplasms; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States