Burden and Depressive Symptoms in Caregivers of Patients With Dementia

Background: Caring for a person with dementia entails considerable emotional, physical, and social demands that can adversely affect caregivers’ mental health. Research consistently shows that caregiver burden is closely linked to depressive symptomatology, particularly in family members who provide long-term, intensive care. Aim: This study aimed to examine the levels of burden and depressive symptoms among caregivers of patients with dementia and to explore whether sociodemographic factors (gender, age, and relationship to the patient) influence the degree of caregiver burden. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted with 140 caregivers of individuals diagnosed with dementia. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, independent samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA, following APA reporting standards. Results: The findings indicated mild depressive symptoms (M = 18.54, SD = 12.58) and moderate levels of caregiver burden (M = 39.75, SD = 19.44). A significant positive correlation was found between depression and burden (r = .282, p< .001), suggesting that higher burden was associated with greater depressive symptomatology. No significant differences in burden were observed by gender (t(138) = −0.003, p = .998), age (F(F (3,136) = 0.853, p = .467), or relationship to the patient (F(7,132) = 0.666, p = .701). Conclusion: The study highlights the emotional toll of dementia caregiving, underscoring the importance of psychosocial support programs aimed at preventing depression and alleviating caregiver burden. Routine screening for emotional distress and early interventions is essential to promote caregivers’ mental health and resilience. Article visualizations: