TY - JOUR
T1 - Distressing emotions in female caregivers of people with AIDS, age-related dementias, and advanced-stage cancers
AU - Flaskerud, Jacquelyn H.
AU - Carter, Patricia A.
AU - Lee, Patricia
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - PURPOSE. To describe and compare the depressive mood, anxiety, anger, and sleep problems of informal female caregivers of people with AIDS, age-related dementias (ARD), and cancer (CA). METHODS. Caregivers recruited from clinics serving people with AIDS, ARD, and CA were interviewed using structured instruments measuring depressive symptoms, anxiety, anger, and sleep problems. Data analysis compared these emotions in the caregivers and related aspects of the caregiving situation to these emotions within each group. FINDINGS. Caregivers did not differ significantly in depressive mood, but did differ in anxiety and anger and sleep problems. Individual items on each scale were compared to provide more descriptive detail. In each group, distressing emotions were significantly related to each other and to sleep problems. CONCLUSIONS. Caregivers of people with AIDS, ARD, and CA experience distressing emotions that may affect their mental and physical health. A comprehensive approach to mental health nursing therapy will best meet the needs of caregivers in relieving their distress.
AB - PURPOSE. To describe and compare the depressive mood, anxiety, anger, and sleep problems of informal female caregivers of people with AIDS, age-related dementias (ARD), and cancer (CA). METHODS. Caregivers recruited from clinics serving people with AIDS, ARD, and CA were interviewed using structured instruments measuring depressive symptoms, anxiety, anger, and sleep problems. Data analysis compared these emotions in the caregivers and related aspects of the caregiving situation to these emotions within each group. FINDINGS. Caregivers did not differ significantly in depressive mood, but did differ in anxiety and anger and sleep problems. Individual items on each scale were compared to provide more descriptive detail. In each group, distressing emotions were significantly related to each other and to sleep problems. CONCLUSIONS. Caregivers of people with AIDS, ARD, and CA experience distressing emotions that may affect their mental and physical health. A comprehensive approach to mental health nursing therapy will best meet the needs of caregivers in relieving their distress.
KW - AIDS
KW - Age-related dementia
KW - Cancer
KW - Distressing emotions
KW - Informal caregivers
KW - Sleep problems
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2000.tb00600.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2000.tb00600.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 12035204
AN - SCOPUS:0034309140
SN - 0031-5990
VL - 36
SP - 121
EP - 130
JO - Perspectives in Psychiatric Care
JF - Perspectives in Psychiatric Care
IS - 4
ER -