Attachment, coping self-efficacy and distress in caregivers of individuals with dementia

• Main Author: Campbell, Sonya M.
• Published: University of Edinburgh 2009
• Subjects: 155
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.642526

Study investigated if coping self-efficacy (CSE) mediated the relationship between attachment style and distress (anxiety, depression and stress) in informal caregivers to individuals with dementia (CGID). A convenient sample of CGID (N=68, mean age 61, SD 15.8) were recruited through organisations providing caregiver services (N=17). These organisations distributed questionnaires to the CGID, containing self-report measures of attachment style, CSE, perceived stress, anxiety, depression and functional ability of person cared for. Hypotheses were explored using correlations, partial correlations, multiple regression analysis and the Sobel test. CGID reported a significant decline in the quality of their relationship to care receiver over period of care. They also had clinically significant levels of anxiety (41%) and depression (21%). CSE was found to mediate the relationship between anxiety (Sobel = 3.155, p=.001) and self-model of attachment. CSE was negatively correlated to depression (r=.537, n=68, P<.001), and perceived stress (r=.537, n=68, p<.001) but was positively correlated to self (r=.439), n=68, p<.001) and other models (r=.295, n=68, p=.015) of attachment. Results are discussed in relation to attachment and social cognitive theory. Findings indicated that CSE may play an important role in caregiver distress.