ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In an aging population an increasing number of elderly caregivers will be called upon to provide care over a long period, during which time they will be burdened both by caregiving and by the physiological effects of their own aging. Among them there will be more aged male caregivers, who will probably be less prepared than women to become caregivers. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between caregivers' gender, age, family income, living arrangements and social support as independent variables, and depressive symptoms, comorbidities, level of frailty, grip strength, walking speed and social isolation, as dependent variables. METHODS: 176 elderly people (123 women) were selected from a sample of a population-based study on frailty (n = 900), who had cared for a spouse (79.3%) and/or parents (31.4%) in the past five years (mean age = 71.8 ± 4.86 years; mean monthly family income in minimum wages = 4.64 ± 5.14). The study used questionnaires and self-report scales, grip strength and walking speed tests. RESULTS: 65% of participants evaluated caregiving as being very stressful. Univariate analyses of regression showed low family income as a risk factor for depression; being female and low perceived social support as a risk for comorbidities; being 80 years of age and above for low grip strength; and being male for social isolation indicated by discontinuity of activities and social roles. In multivariate analyses of regression, poverty arose as a risk factor for depression and being female for comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Gender roles, age, income and social support interacted with physical and emotional health, and with the continuity of social participation of elderly caregivers. Special attention must be given to male caregivers.
Subject(s)
Caregivers/psychology , Caregivers/statistics & numerical data , Frail Elderly/psychology , Frail Elderly/statistics & numerical data , Gender Identity , Health Status , Social Isolation , Socioeconomic Factors , Aged , Brazil , Comorbidity , Cost of Illness , Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Female , Geriatric Assessment/statistics & numerical data , Hand Strength , Health Surveys , Humans , Income/statistics & numerical data , Male , Mobility Limitation , Social Environment , Social Support , Statistics as TopicABSTRACT
Foram investigados eventos de vida estressantes em 544 idosos participantes do estudo PENSA, em Minas Gerais (74,6 por cento de mulheres e 25,4 por cento de homens; média de idade = 72,11; DP ± 8,29; sendo 42,1 por cento de 60 a 69 anos; 39 por cento, de 70 a 79 e 18,9 por cento, 80 a 99). Os eventos compuseram as seguintes categorias: eventos relacionados à finitude (morte ou doença), problemas que afetam os descendentes, relacionados ao cuidado, eventos pontuais e bem-estar psicológico. Os homens relataram eventos pontuais (60-69), problemas dos descendentes (70-79), e finitude e bem-estar (> 80); as mulheres relataram eventos pontuais (60-69), problemas dos descendentes (60-79) e finitude (> 80). As mulheres consideraram os eventos como mais estressantes do que os homens. Resultados semelhantes têm sido relatados na literatura.(AU)
We examined stressful life events in 544 elderly participants of PENSA, in Minas Gerais (74.6 percent women and 25.4 percent men; age = 72.11; ± 8.29; 42.1 percent aged 60-69; 39 percent 70-79 and 18.9 percent, 80-99). Stressful life events were classified into categories related to: death and illness, problems affecting children, caregiving, turning points (transitions), and psychological well-being. Men reported turning points (60-69), problems affecting their children (70-79), death and illness and psychological well-being (> 80); women reported turning points (transitions) (60-69), problems affecting their children (60-79), and own death and illness (> 80). Women evaluated events as more stressful than men did. There are similar results in the literature.(AU)
Subject(s)
Life Change Events , Stress, Psychological , Aged/psychology , Aging/psychologyABSTRACT
Foram investigados eventos de vida estressantes em 544 idosos participantes do estudo PENSA, em Minas Gerais (74,6 por cento de mulheres e 25,4 por cento de homens; média de idade = 72,11; DP ± 8,29; sendo 42,1 por cento de 60 a 69 anos; 39 por cento, de 70 a 79 e 18,9 por cento, 80 a 99). Os eventos compuseram as seguintes categorias: eventos relacionados à finitude (morte ou doença), problemas que afetam os descendentes, relacionados ao cuidado, eventos pontuais e bem-estar psicológico. Os homens relataram eventos pontuais (60-69), problemas dos descendentes (70-79), e finitude e bem-estar (> 80); as mulheres relataram eventos pontuais (60-69), problemas dos descendentes (60-79) e finitude (> 80). As mulheres consideraram os eventos como mais estressantes do que os homens. Resultados semelhantes têm sido relatados na literatura.
We examined stressful life events in 544 elderly participants of PENSA, in Minas Gerais (74.6 percent women and 25.4 percent men; age = 72.11; ± 8.29; 42.1 percent aged 60-69; 39 percent 70-79 and 18.9 percent, 80-99). Stressful life events were classified into categories related to: death and illness, problems affecting children, caregiving, turning points (transitions), and psychological well-being. Men reported turning points (60-69), problems affecting their children (70-79), death and illness and psychological well-being (> 80); women reported turning points (transitions) (60-69), problems affecting their children (60-79), and own death and illness (> 80). Women evaluated events as more stressful than men did. There are similar results in the literature.
Subject(s)
Aged/psychology , Life Change Events , Stress, Psychological , Aging/psychologyABSTRACT
Foram investigadas relações entre eventos de vida estressantes, estratégias de enfrentamento, auto-eficácia no enfrentamento e depressão em 544 participantes de um estudo sobre envelhecimento bem-sucedido com idosos residentes na comunidade (74,6 por cento mulheres; idade = 72,11, + 8.29; 42,1 por cento de 60 a 69 anos; 39 por cento, de 70 a 79 e 18,9 por cento, 80 a 99). Os eventos estressantes foram classificados nas categorias finitude, problemas dos filhos, cuidado, crise e bem-estar psicológico. As estratégias de enfrentamento geraram cinco fatores: emoções negativas, controle ambiental, religiosidade, esquiva, inibição das emoções. Auto-eficácia no enfrentamento foi avaliada como adequada x inadequada. Na CES-D, o escore médio foi 10.24 (+8.66), para nota de corte >11, e a prevalência 32 por cento. Maior risco para depressão foi associado a emoções negativas, eventos incontroláveis, ter de 60 a 69 anos e avaliar a auto-eficácia como inadequada. Os eventos estressantes foram menos preditivos de depressão do que a avaliação cognitiva e o enfrentamento.(AU)
The relationship among stressful life events, coping strategies, self-efficacy in coping and depression in 544 participants of a study on successful aging involving elderly who reside in the community was assessed (74,6 percent women; age = 72.11; + 8.29; 42,1 percent age 60-69; 39 percent 70-79 and 18,9 percent 80-99). Stressful life events were classified into categories related to: finitude, problems concerning offspring, care, crisis and psychological well-being. Coping strategies generated five factors: negative emotions, environment control, religiosity, avoidance behaviors, and emotional inhibition. Self-efficacy of coping was evaluated between appropriate versus inappropriate. Mean score of depression assessed through CES-D was 10.24, + 8,66); prevalence was 32 percent to a cut-off score >11. Major risk for depression was associated with negative emotions, uncontrollable events, age 60-69 and inappropiate self-efficacy of coping. The stressful life events seemed less predictive of depression than the cognitive assessment and the coping did.(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Stress, Physiological/psychology , Depression , Life Change Events , Adaptation, PsychologicalABSTRACT
Foram investigadas relações entre eventos de vida estressantes, estratégias de enfrentamento, auto-eficácia no enfrentamento e depressão em 544 participantes de um estudo sobre envelhecimento bem-sucedido com idosos residentes na comunidade (74,6 por cento mulheres; idade = 72,11, + 8.29; 42,1 por cento de 60 a 69 anos; 39 por cento, de 70 a 79 e 18,9 por cento, 80 a 99). Os eventos estressantes foram classificados nas categorias finitude, problemas dos filhos, cuidado, crise e bem-estar psicológico. As estratégias de enfrentamento geraram cinco fatores: emoções negativas, controle ambiental, religiosidade, esquiva, inibição das emoções. Auto-eficácia no enfrentamento foi avaliada como adequada x inadequada. Na CES-D, o escore médio foi 10.24 (+8.66), para nota de corte >11, e a prevalência 32 por cento. Maior risco para depressão foi associado a emoções negativas, eventos incontroláveis, ter de 60 a 69 anos e avaliar a auto-eficácia como inadequada. Os eventos estressantes foram menos preditivos de depressão do que a avaliação cognitiva e o enfrentamento.
The relationship among stressful life events, coping strategies, self-efficacy in coping and depression in 544 participants of a study on successful aging involving elderly who reside in the community was assessed (74,6 percent women; age = 72.11; + 8.29; 42,1 percent age 60-69; 39 percent 70-79 and 18,9 percent 80-99). Stressful life events were classified into categories related to: finitude, problems concerning offspring, care, crisis and psychological well-being. Coping strategies generated five factors: negative emotions, environment control, religiosity, avoidance behaviors, and emotional inhibition. Self-efficacy of coping was evaluated between appropriate versus inappropriate. Mean score of depression assessed through CES-D was 10.24, + 8,66); prevalence was 32 percent to a cut-off score >11. Major risk for depression was associated with negative emotions, uncontrollable events, age 60-69 and inappropiate self-efficacy of coping. The stressful life events seemed less predictive of depression than the cognitive assessment and the coping did.
