Relationship of burden with depressive symptoms, mental disorders and older adults' functional dependence: A study with paid and unpaid caregivers in Brazil

Author(s)

Maximiano-Barreto, Madson Alan ^{[1, 2]} ; Fabricio, Daiene de Morais ^{[1, 2]} ; Moura, Amanda Barros ^[2] ; Pereira de Brito, Tabatta Renata ^[3] ; Luchesi, Bruna Moretti ^{[4, 2]} ; Nisihara Chagas, Marcos Hortes ^{[1, 2, 5]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Res Grp Mental Hlth Cognit & Aging, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Alfenas, Alfenas - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Tres Lagoas - Brazil

^[5] Bairral Inst Psychiat, Itapira - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY; OCT 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the relationship of burden with depressive symptoms, mental disorders and older adults' functional dependence in paid and unpaid caregivers. This is a quantitative and cross-sectional study, carried out in the inland of the state of Sao Paulo with 111 caregivers, 60 of whom were unpaid and 51 were paid. The caregivers answered a questionnaire for the assessment of sociodemographic and care characteristics, the Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20), and the Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ). Unpaid caregivers were older, married, have been providing care for a longer period of time, and devoted more days and hours per week to care when compared to paid caregivers. Depressive symptoms and mental disorders (non-psychotic) are related to the levels of burden in both paid and unpaid caregivers (p < 0.001). The care process causes harm such as burden, depressive symptoms, and mental disorders in paid and unpaid caregivers. Thus, it is important to think about coping strategies to minimize the psychological consequences of the care process. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/04936-4 - Effects of empathy training on burden levels in caregivers of elderly
• Grantee: Madson Alan Maximiano Barreto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate