Self-efficacy as a moderator of the relationship between care recipient memory and behavioral problems and caregiver depression in female dementia caregivers.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the current study was to explore the moderating effect of 3 domains of caregiver self-efficacy on the relationship between exogenous caregiving stressors (care recipient memory and behavioral problems) and depression.


METHODS
Moderator analyses were used to analyze data for 256 caregivers of elder relatives with dementia recruited at the Palo-Alto site of the National REACH (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health) Project. Significant interactions between the stressor and self-efficacy indicated a potential moderating effect. Post hoc analyses were then conducted to determine the nature of the interaction(s).


RESULTS
Self-efficacy for managing disruptive behaviors and self-efficacy for controlling upsetting thoughts had a direct effect on depression. Self-efficacy for responding to disruptive behaviors moderated the relationship between care recipient memory and behavioral problems and symptoms of depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-efficacy may be an important clinical tool for identifying the caregivers who are most vulnerable to depression. Self-efficacy for responding to disruptive behaviors may be especially helpful in identifying caregivers at the greatest risk for depression when care recipient memory and behavior problems are high.
Rabinowitz
Yaron G
YG
Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, 78412, USA. rubes0509@gmail.com
Mausbach
Brent T
BT
Gallagher-Thompson
Dolores
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D020377:Self Efficacy