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. 2017 Dec 10;30(8):1119–1130. doi: 10.1017/S1041610217002629

Table 3.

The link between our predictors of caregiver depression and the transactional model of stress and coping

our predictors of interest relevant findings from our umbrella systematic review our conclusion on the link
Primary-caregiving role and
caring for PWD at later stage of disease
• Caregivers who had a relatively heavy patient care load experienced a greater burden from their caregiving (Chiao et al., 2015).
• Impairment in physical activities of daily living predicted burden in Black caregivers, while impairment in instrumental activities of daily living predicted burden in White caregivers (Connell and Gibson, 1997).
• Caregivers of persons with greater independence in ADLs used more solution-focused coping, whereas caregivers of persons with less independence in ADLs employed emotional support/acceptance-based coping (Roche et al., 2016).
• Disabilities in activities of daily living increased burden and depressive symptoms in caregivers (van der Lee et al., 2014).
Physical-care demands
Caring for PWD with behavioral problems • Frequency of behavioral disturbances was the primary predictor of negative emotions and caregiver burden (Caceres et al., 2016).
• Behavioral disturbances in patients with dementia were associated with greater burden in family caregivers (Chiao et al., 2015).
• Pooled correlations indicated moderate associations between BPSD (behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia) and caregiver burden, caregiver distress, and caregiver depression (Gilhooly et al., 2016).
• Behavioral problems in persons with dementia predicted dysfunctional coping in caregivers (Roche et al., 2016).
• Behavioral problems increased burden and depressive symptoms in caregivers (van der Lee et al., 2014).
Behavioral problems
Lower education • Caregivers with low educational level were associated with greater burden (Chiao et al., 2015).
• Higher caregiver education predicted solution-focused coping, while lower caregiver education predicted emotional support/acceptance-based coping (Roche et al., 2016).
• Caregivers’ competence was among the most consistent determinant of caregiver burden, depression, and mental health. Caregivers’ feeling of competence or higher self-efficacy was beneficial with regards to burden and mental health (Gilhooly et al., 2016).
• Lower caregiving competence increased burden and depressive symptoms in caregivers (van der Lee et al., 2014).
Lower caregiving competency
Spousal relationship • Spousal caregivers experience grief and loss in the context of the present as well as in the future (Cabote et al., 2015).
• Spousal caregivers experience feelings of isolation and loss of self-esteem due to the emotional distance with the person with dementia (Caceres et al., 2016).
• The theme of “loss of partner” was central to spousal caregivers, and around this central experience spouses described various processes: acknowledging change, being in crisis, adapting and adjusting, accepting, and moving forward (Pozzebon et al., 2016).
• Dementia changes how couples connect with each other, with some spouses gradually feeling the loss of closeness and shared identity (Wadham et al., 2016).
Loss and grief

PWD, persons with dementia.