DOES SOCIAL SUPPORT ALLEVIATE THE DEPRESSION OF CAREGIVERS OF DEMENTIA PATIENTS

The present study tested a model predicting depression of caregivers of dementia patients. Consistent with previous research, the patient's level of impairment, the relationship of the caregiver to the patient, and the duration of caregiving had an impact on caregiver depression. The caregiver's appraisal of the degree of upset caused by the patient's level of impairment proved to be the most important variable in predicting caregiver depression. Social support variables were somewhat related to caregiver depression, but in a manner contrary to what was predicted, i.e., caregivers who received the most support were the most depressed.