title: Physical and mental health correlates of self-efficacy in dementia family caregivers.
abstract: This study examined whether self-efficacy for controlling upsetting caregiving thoughts would longitudinally predict mental and physical health as well as utilization of psychotropic medications in help-seeking dementia family caregivers (N = 53). Positive associations were found between self-efficacy and self-reported mental health and physical health subscales of the Short Form Health Questionnaire-12, and negative correlations were found between self-efficacy for controlling upsetting thoughts about caregiving and the number of psychotropic medications being utilized both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. These results suggest that self-efficacy for controlling upsetting thoughts may be a fruitful target area for further intervention research with dementia family caregivers.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Missouri-St. Louis , St. Louis , MO.
authors.forename: Nika R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steffen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; medication issues; mental health; physical health; psychotropic medication