Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2009 , Vol 12, Issue 1
CAREGIVING STYLE, PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES, ANGER STYLE AND HEALTH STATUS IN WOMEN CAREGIVERS OF ALZHEIMER PATIENTS AND HEALTHY ELDERLY
1Ä°stanbul Ãœniversitesi, Psikoloji Ä°STANBUL
2Bahçeşehir Üniversitesi, Psikoloji Bölümü İSTANBUL
Introduction: The principle aim of this study is to investigate the caregiving style of the participants and the kind of support they receive; to compare anger levels, problem solving approaches and health problems of Alzheimer Disease (AD) patient female caregivers with a control group. This study further examines the effect of group, age, health status, anger style and problem solving style on depression.

Materials and Method: 42 female caregivers (22 AD and 20 control) participated in the study. They were given a demographic questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-BDI, State-Trait Anger Scale-STAS and Problem Solving Inventory-PSI.

Results: Results indicated that both AD and control group caregivers were similar in terms of caregiving style. Though AD and control group caregivers did not differ in terms PSI and BDI, there were significant differences between those who reported illness and those who did not in terms of impatient and thoughtful approach sub-tests of PSI. The regression analysis showed that age and repressed anger significantly explained the variation in BDI.

Conclusion: Altogether results showed that in a relatively low at risk women caregivers group, regardless of being AD caregiver or not, age and repressed anger are important factors on depression levels. Health status of caregiver seems to be a determining factor on PSI. Keywords : Alzheimer disease patient, Female caregivers, Caregiving style, Problem solving, Depression, Health status