Exploring Caregiver Burden in Alzheimer's Disease: The Predictive Role Of Psychological Distress

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is on the rise in terms of its prevalence. Individuals affected by this condition typically require extensive care across all aspects of daily living. The mental well-being of caregivers for those with dementia stands as a significant public concern. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the association between the burden of caregiving and the psychological distress experienced by family caregivers of individuals with AD.

This cross-sectional study employed a census method and involved the participation of 150 caregivers of Alzheimer's patients in Shahroud, Iran. To assess the eligibility of family caregivers, the inclusion criteria comprised minimal literacy in reading and writing and at least six months of care for an individual with AD. Exclusion criteria included being a formal caregiver or employed in healthcare, having mental disorders, or using neuroleptic drugs among family caregivers. Data collection tools consisted of the Zarit Care Burden Inventory (ZBI) and Lovibond's Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Information was gathered online and through self-reporting, followed by analysis using descriptive statistics [frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation], as well as inferential statistical tests [multivariate linear regression].

In this study, the mean scores for caregiver burden, anxiety, stress, and depression were 28.09 ±13.01, 4.50 ±4.53, 8.12 ±4.98, and 4.69 ± 4.86, respectively. The study's findings revealed that with each additional hour spent on daily patient care, the burden score for caregivers increased by 0.327 units (p=0.025, β=0.327). Furthermore, for every one-unit rise in stress (p<0.001, β=1.087) and depression scores (p=0.015, β=0.671), the burden score also increased by 1.087 and 0.671 units, respectively.

Caregivers of individuals with AD experienced notable levels of caregiving burden, particularly correlated with the duration of daily patient care and the manifestation of stress and depression symptoms. Hence, the study suggests the implementation of tailored interventions, such as psychoeducational programs, to provide vital support for these individuals.