[Family function and the mental health of the caregiver of dependent relatives].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the influence of family function on the caregiver's perceived mental health.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Two primary care urban health centres.


METHODS
153 caregivers of dependent people.


METHODS
Sociodemographic variables of caregiver and dependent relative and psychoactive drugs prescribed to caregiver. Caregiver questionnaires: mental health evaluated with General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), family function with adaptation, partnership, growth, affection and resolve (APGAR), and Duke University-University of North Carolina functional social support questionnaire. Care-recipient questionnaires: cognitive disorders with Pfeiffer and functional dependence level with Barthel.


RESULTS
Caregiver's mean age was 63.8 years; 72.5% (n=111) were female; 57.5% have only primary school studies; and 37.1% take psychoactive drugs. More than 40% of the care-receivers have cognitive disorders and 49.7% have total functional impairment. According to the GHQ-12, 27% of the caregivers had mental health disorders; 31.3% of the families were dysfunctional and 32.7% had poor social support. The variables that significantly contributed to the explanation of caregiver's mental health have been: psychoactive drug intake, family function, social support and educational level.


CONCLUSIONS
Family function is an important predictor of caregiver's mental health.
Pérez Peñaranda
Aníbal
A
Departamento de Salud Mental, Universidad de Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela; Unidad de Investigación, Centro de Salud de La Alamedilla, Salamanca, España.
García Ortiz
Luis
L
Rodríguez Sánchez
Emiliano
E
Losada Baltar
Andrés
A
Porras Santos
Nieves
N
Gómez Marcos
Manuel Angel
MA
D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires