Determinantes de la ansiedad en personas cuidadoras de familiares de mayores dependientes

Abstract

Objectives. To investigate relationships between anxiety and stressors, coping and subjective burden and to contribute to defining factors related to anxiety among family caregivers of older dependents. Background. Despite the studies analysing factors related to anxiety in caregivers, there is not enough evidence about this issue. Design. Cross-sectional design. Methods. Data from 198 family caregivers (convenience sample) were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients and path analysis. Variables: Socio-demographic data and several scales (Barthel Index, Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, Cummings Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Brief COPE, Caregiver Strain Index and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) were used to collect data. Results. Stressors (psychiatric and psychological symptoms and number of assisted activities of daily living), emotion-focused coping, dysfunctional coping and subjective burden were related to greater anxiety. Subjective burden mediated the effects of psychiatric and psychological symptoms on anxiety and partially mediated the effects of dysfunctional coping on anxiety.