Effects of Alzheimer caregiving on allostatic load.
This study aimed to determine if Alzheimer caregivers have increased allostatic load compared to non-caregivers. Potential psychological moderators (mastery, depression, and role overload) of the relationship between caregiving status and allostatic load were also explored. Eighty-seven caregivers and 43 non-caregivers underwent biological assessment of allostatic load and psychological assessments. Caregivers had significantly higher allostatic load compared to non-caregivers ( p < .05). Mastery, but not depression or overload, moderated the relationship between caregiving status and allostatic load. In conclusion, allostatic load may represent a link explaining how stress translates to downstream pathology, but more work is necessary to understand the role of psychological factors.
Roepke
Susan K
SK
San Diego State University & University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, La Jolla, California 92093-0680, USA.
Mausbach
Brent T
BT
Patterson
Thomas L
TL
Von Känel
Roland
R
Ancoli-Israel
Sonia
S
Harmell
Alexandrea L
AL
Dimsdale
Joel E
JE
Aschbacher
Kirstin
K
Mills
Paul J
PJ
Ziegler
Michael G
MG
Allison
Matthew
M
Grant
Igor
I
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D052636:Allostasis / Q000502:physiology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D002784:Cholesterol; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine