Distressing Emotions in Female Caregivers of People With AIDS, Age-Related Dementias, and Advanced-Stage Cancers

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.