Predictors of Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver Depression and Burden: What Noncaregiving Adults Can Learn From Active Caregivers

This study examined similarities and differences between active caregivers (adult children and spouses whose family member had Alzheimer's disease) and not-as-yet caregiving adults (adult children and spouses whose family members are older, but do not as yet suffer from Alzheimer's disease). The objective was to determine what factors predict depressed mood and caregiver burden. Findings indicated that there were both differences and similarities between active caregivers and not-as-yet caregivers. While personality (extraversion) and anxiety about their own aging were the major predictors of depression for active caregivers, perceptions of a lack of social support was the major predictor of depression for not-as-yet caregivers. Regarding caregiver burden, perceived lack of social support, internal attributions of causality, and anxiety about their own aging were predictors for both groups. These findings are not only in concert with past research on the well-being of active caregivers, but they also importantly provide would-be caregiving adults with important information regarding caring for a family member with Alzheimer's disease. These findings suggest that not-as-yet-caregiving adults could better prepare for potential caregiving distress by learning active self-care skills, identifying what is meaningful about both growing older and about caregiving, and building a social network of support, all in anticipation of active caregiving.