title: Effects of daily stressors on the psychological and biological well-being of spouses of persons with mild cognitive impairment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This research documents spousal accounts of daily symptoms and behaviors of their husbands or wives with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and assesses how MCI-related symptoms and care needs are associated with spouse care partners' psychological well-being and biomarkers of physiological wear and tear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty spouse care partners participated in a 7-day diary study and reported on behavior problems associated with MCI as well as daily stressors and strains they experienced. They also provided saliva samples on 4 of the study days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multilevel models revealed daily variability and change in psychological affect and the diurnal cortisol rhythm. Daily primary stressors, everyday secondary strains, and marital interactions predicted these changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings document the negative physiological effects of having a spouse with MCI and provide new details on probable causes of psychological and biological distress. They shed light on MCI-specific interventions to address couples' needs before severe disease progression occurs that could interfere with spouses' ability to provide home-based care and support.
authors: Center for Gerontology, 237 Wallace Hall (0426), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. jsavla@vt.edu
authors: Jyoti
authors: J
authors: Savla
authors: Karen A
authors: KA
authors: Roberto
authors: Rosemary
authors: R
authors: Blieszner
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Cox
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Gwazdauskas
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone