Current Marital Functioning as a Mediating Factor in Depression Among Spouse Caregivers in Dementia

Abstract

Abstract A model of spousal caregiving was constructed in which current marital functioning was hypothesized to predict caregiver depression independent of the patient's clinical status and caregiver characteristics including burden. The sample was comprised of 96 consecutive marital dyads seeking evaluation at a university-based cognitive disorders program. The results of path analysis supported a model in which current marital functioning was significantly and independently associated with the caregiver's mental health. Specifically, spouse caregivers reporting low marital cohesion and satisfaction endorsed significantly more depressive symptoms. These findings supported the model's central premise that relational losses are discretely related to the mental health of spouse caregivers and warrant consideration in the assessment and care of spouse caregivers.