Sociodemographic, physical and psychosocial factors associated with depressive behaviour in family caregivers of stroke survivors in the acute care phase

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: This study examined sociodemographic, physical and psychosocial characteristics of family caregivers of stroke survivors at risk for depression. RESEARCH DESIGN: A correlational study. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Data were collected from 52 family caregivers and care recipients with ischemic stroke. Data were collected 1-2 days before discharge from a rehabilitative facility and at 5, 9 and 13 weeks post-discharge. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Compared to African Americans, Caucasians had approximately 3.7 times higher odds of being at risk. The odds of being at risk for depressive behaviour decreased by 30% for each unit increase in belonging and increased by 5% for each unit increase in burden. CONCLUSIONS: Family caregivers who are isolated from others may benefit from therapeutic interventions that facilitate social interaction and decrease caregiver burden. Ethnic differences in caregiver depression merit further research.