A study of predictors of anxiety and depression among stroke patient-caregivers

Abstract

Context:Caregivers play an important role in supporting people with illness either acute or chronic. It is important to explore caregiver's emotional turmoil as it helps in exploring their burden which can have impact on the patient's illness and functioning apart from their own.Aims:The current study aimed at assessing the predictors of anxiety and depression among caregivers of patients with stroke.Settings and Design:Seventy-five consecutive patient-caregiver dyads were recruited in the study.Materials and Methods:Patients and caregivers were assessed using a semi-structured proforma for the sociodemographic details. Subsequently these dyads were assessed for anxiety and depression levels using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.Statistical Analysis Used:Chi-square tests (for categorical variables) were used to find difference between the patients and the caregivers on different variables. Additionally Cramer's V-test and phi test were used for 2*4 contingency tables. Linear regression model was used.Results:Linear regression revealed that anxiety level in caregivers was predicted by the sex of care giver.Conclusions:Caring for the patients with stroke presents increased burden to the care givers which manifests as increased rate of anxiety and depression among them. It is important to assess the care givers along with the patients for emergence of these negative affective states. One needs to be extra cautious if the patient happens to be the primary earning member of the family.

Burden in caregivers of long-term stroke survivors: Prevalence and determinants at 6 months and 5 years after stroke

“…This appeared to be significant in the chronic stage of stroke although, consistently with earlier studies, it was also significantly associated with the burden in the post-acute phase [22,41]. Elevated anxiety within the first months after stroke has been explained in the literature by caregivers' uncertainty about the future, for both the stroke survivors and for themselves, and by specific difficulties in that period [46,47]. Other factors however, such as increased mobilisation, the necessity to keep busy with caregiving tasks without having time for reflection about all the uncertainties and the expectation of further recovery of the patient, can all moderate the anxious feelings of the carer at that time.…”

Quality of life, anxiety, depression and burden among stroke caregivers: A longitudinal, observational multicentre study

“…Several studies have shown that QOL, anxiety, depression and burden in stroke caregivers are interrelated. Balhara, Verma, Sharma, and Mathur () found that anxiety decreases caregivers’ QOL and increases their burden (Denno et al., ). Depression, which was found to be three times higher in stroke caregivers than in the general population (Cecil et al., ), decreases caregivers’ social QOL and it has even been associated with the deterioration of stroke survivors’ physical and cognitive functions (McCarthy & Lyons, ; McCarthy, Lyons, & Powers, ).…”

”I Don’t Believe in Leading a Life of My Own, I Lead His Life”: A Qualitative Investigation of Difficulties Experienced by Informal Caregivers of Stroke Survivors Experiencing Depressive and Anxious Symptoms

“…Further, caregivers may experience poor physical health (Carretero, Garcés, Ródenas, & Sanjosé, 2009;Legg, Weir, Langhorne, Smith, & Stott, 2013) and reduced energy (Parag et al, 2008). Given the range of emotional and physical consequences faced by caregivers, typically referred to as caregiver burden (Rigby, Gubitz, & Phillips, 2009), it is unsurprising there is a higher prevalence of mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety experienced by caregivers of stroke survivors than the general population (Balhara, Verma, Sharma, & Mathur, 2012;VisserMeily, Post, van de Port, van Heugten, & Bos, 2008). Indeed, 50% of caregivers of stroke survivors experience elevated symptoms of depression (Visser-Meily et al, 2008) and anxiety (Greenwood & Mackenzie, 2010a).…”