Predictors of caregiver depression among community-residing families living with traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that ineffective problem-solving abilities would be significantly predictive of risk for depression in caregivers of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) after controlling for caregiver burden, caregiver health and demographic characteristics.


METHODS
Correlational and logistic regression analyses of cross-sectional data.


METHODS
57 women and 3 men (M age of caregivers=51.4, SD=10.1) caring for a relative with a TBI.


METHODS
Centers for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression scale (CES-D).


RESULTS
Twenty-nine caregivers (48.3%) had CES-D scores that met the criteria for risk of depression. An ineffective approach to problem solving, characterized by negative, avoidant, and careless/impulsive styles, and self-reported caregiver physical symptoms were significantly predictive of caregiver depression regardless of length of time caregiving, perceived burden, or demographic variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Caregivers of persons with TBI who report physical health problems and who exhibit ineffective problem solving area at greater risk for depression, regardless of the time they have spent in their role as a caregiver.
Rivera
Patricia
P
Department of Medicine - Immunology / Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-2041, USA.
Elliott
Timothy R
TR
Berry
Jack W
JW
Grant
Joan S
JS
Oswald
Kimberly
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011340:Problem Solving