Implications of Coping Strategies for Spousal Caregivers of Elders with Dementia

Caregivers are often under a great deal of stress while caring for spouses with dementia. When stress increases and becomes overwhelming, caregivers are at risk for developing depression. The primary objective of the present study was to determine which cognitive and behavioral coping strategies are associated with lower levels of depression; once these strategies are identified, interventions can be established to educate these caregivers. Thirty-two spousal caregivers participated in this study. Results of this study indicate that problem-focused coping strategies were associated with a lesser degree of depressive symptomatology, whereas most of the emotion-focused strategies were associated with a greater degree of depressive symptomatology among the present sample of spousal caregivers.