PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
The prevalence of informal caregiving is increasing as populations across the world age. Caregiving has been found to be associated with poor mental health outcomes including depressive symptoms. The purpose of this study is to examine the mean trajectory of depressive symptomatology in older caregivers in a large European sample over an eight-year period, the effects of time-varying and time-invariant covariates on this trajectory, and the mean trajectory of depressive symptomatology according to pattern of caregiving. The results suggest that depressive symptoms in the full sample of caregivers follow a nonlinear trajectory characterized by an initial decrease which decelerates over time. Caregiver status and depressive symptoms were significantly associated such that depressive symptoms increased as a function of caregiver status. The trajectory in caregivers who report intermittent or consecutive occasions of caregiving remained stable over time. Significant associations were found between sociodemographic, health and caregiving characteristics and the initial levels and rates of change of these trajectories. While these results point to the resilience of caregivers, they also highlight the factors that are related to caregivers\' adaptation over time. This can help in identifying individuals who may require greater supports and, in turn, ensuring that caregivers preserve their well-being.
摘要：
随着世界各地人口的年龄增长，非正式护理的患病率正在增加。已发现照顾与不良的心理健康结果有关，包括抑郁症状。这项研究的目的是检查欧洲大样本中老年护理人员在八年期间的抑郁症状的平均轨迹，时变和时不变协变量对这一轨迹的影响，以及根据护理模式的抑郁症状学的平均轨迹。结果表明，整个护理人员样本中的抑郁症状遵循非线性轨迹，其特征是随着时间的推移而逐渐减少的初始减少。照顾者状态和抑郁症状显著相关,使得抑郁症状作为照顾者状态的函数而增加。报告间歇性或连续护理的护理人员的轨迹随着时间的推移保持稳定。发现社会人口统计学之间存在显着关联，健康和护理特征以及这些轨迹的初始水平和变化率。虽然这些结果表明护理人员的韧性，他们还强调了与照顾者随着时间的适应有关的因素。这可以帮助识别可能需要更多支持的个人，反过来,确保护理人员保持他们的福祉。
