Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Problems Among Caregivers of People Living With Neurocognitive Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems among caregivers of persons living with neurocognitive disorders (PLWND) during the COVID-19 pandemic in China and investigate whether the COVID-19-related experiences were associated with the presence of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.Methods: From March 1 to 31, 2020, 160 caregivers of PLWND participated in an online cross-sectional survey on the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. The 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was administered to measure anxiety symptoms, and the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Questions on sleep duration and sleep quality enquired about sleep problems. Six items were used to explore the COVID-19-related experiences, including community-level infection contact and the level of exposure to media information. We computed the prevalence rate of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep problems. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate factors associated with these mental health problems.Results: The prevalence rate of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems were 46.9%, 36.3%, and 9.4%. Approximately 55 participants (34.4%) presented with two or more mental health problems. Women had a higher risk of developing anxiety symptoms (OR, 5.284; 95% CI, 2.068–13.503; p = 0.001). Having a mental disorder (OR, 5.104; 95% CI, 1.522–17.114; p = 0.008) was associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms. Caregivers who preferred to access positive information (OR, 0.215; 95% CI, 0.058–0.793; p = 0.021) was associated with decreased risk of sleep problems.Conclusion: Anxiety and depressive symptoms were common among caregivers of older adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being female was an independent risk factor for experiencing anxiety symptoms. Preexisting mental disorders increased the risk of depressive symptoms among caregivers, while caregivers who prefer to access positive media information decreased sleep problems.

The effect of anxiety and spiritual well-being on the care burden of caregivers of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In addition to fear, the caregivers in our study also described having psychosomatic symptoms such as sadness, poor concentration, unhappiness, anger, insomnia, and guilt. The prevalence of sleep problems among caregivers of older adults with neurocognitive disorders during the COVID-19 period was found to be 9.4–10.8%, which is lower than in the present study [ 49 , 50 ].…”

“…Wimberly et al [42] reported in their study that 77% of caregivers of childhood cancer survivors had increased feelings of anxiety due to the outbreak. Nearly half (46.8%) of caregivers of older people with neurocognitive disorders were found to have anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic [49,50]. Some studies have evaluated fear in caregivers of PWC during the pandemic, and one group reported detecting psychological distress in 46.5% of long-term caregivers [51].…”

Neglected Needs of Family Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic and What They Need Now: A Qualitative Study

“…However, family caregiver restrictions to entering congregate care settings changed with wave two and wave three of the COVID-19 pandemic and depended on the facility. Anxiety, burden, and loneliness increased [25,[33][34][35][36]. Family caregivers' perspectives on what they thought would have helped them and what supports are needed to support family caregivers now and in the future are reported in the Results section.…”

Psychological Support Interventions for Healthcare Providers and Informal Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…In fact, despite the fact that care providers differ in their working style, motivations, and aims between formal and informal caregivers, COVID-19 brought about overlapping responsibilities and a shift in roles that led both populations of caregivers to experience increased and imbalanced care distribution that negatively affected their mental well-being [ 33 , 34 ]. They were not only exposed to higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression [ 35 , 36 ], but also equally revealed sleep disturbances [ 37 ], frustration, and hopelessness during their caregiving roles, with the consequent risk of struggling with negative emotions, such as self-criticism and shame [ 38 , 39 ].…”