Abstract
This study investigated quality of life of family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Caregiving is a strenuous and challenging job. Family caregivers experience poor quality of life after they take the role of caregiving which might be related to depression. Purpose of this study was to find if caregiving duration and depression has any role in affecting family caregivers' emotional, physical, and general health.
Data for this study were collected through electronic and mailed survey methods. The questionnaires completed by subjects: Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (MOS-36) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values were calculated on demographics. Correlation statistics were calculated for emotional health, physical health, general health, depression and caregiving duration in the target population to find if there is presence or absence of any significant relationship that affects quality of life of family caregivers of persons with AD.
Data were collected in Minnesota through Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter, Lyngblomsten Care Center, St. Paul, MN, Lyngblomsten Home and Community Based Services, St. Paul, MN and Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley, MN. The agencies were contacted in-person for recruitment of subjects. Total of 207 family caregivers responded where 25 were males and 182 females. Statistical analyses were computed which resulted in four statistically significant findings: emotional and physical health was significantly related to each other; emotional and physical health was significantly related to depression; general health was significantly related to depression; and caregiving duration was significantly related to depression. Study presented new information on family caregivers' quality of life. The conclusion drawn from the current study may help future researchers to investigate improvement in quality of life of family caregivers with AD. It is hoped that the data will help health professionals and support groups to plan and develop better programs to improve quality of life of family caregivers for persons with Alzheimer's disease.
Advisor
Donald J. Ebel
Committee Member
Judith K. Luebke
Committee Member
Mark Windschitl
Date of Degree
2015
Language
english
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Sarkar, S. (2015). Impact of Caregiving Role in the Quality of Life of Family Caregivers for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/395/
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Included in
Geriatrics Commons, Other Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons
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