Religiousness and Major Depression among Bereaved Family Caregivers: A 13–Month Follow-Up Study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between a multi-item measure of religiousness and major depressive disorder (MDD) in bereaved family caregivers of patients with cancer. DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal study of primary caregivers of consecutive patients (n = 175) with cancer enrolled in the largest hospice in Connecticut. RESULTS: Caregivers with a high religiousness summary score were significantly less likely to have MDD at the 13-month follow-up interview (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.68-0.91). This finding remained significant (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.59-0.91) after adjustment for caregiver MDD at baseline, caregiver age, caregiver burden, and number of activities restricted due to caregiving roles. CONCLUSIONS: Family caregivers who reported greater religiousness at baseline had lower rates of depression in the 13-month follow up after their loss. Collaboration with religious support groups or community groups during bereavement could offer an effective mechanism for speeding the process of recovery for some caregivers.