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Journal of Applied Gerontology
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Psychosocial Resources as Moderators of the Impact of Spousal Dementia Caregiving on Depression

Kathryn Betts Adams

Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland Memory and Aging Center, kathryn.adams{at}case.edu

Kathleen A. Smyth

Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland Memory and Aging Center, kathleen.smyth{at}case.edu

McKee J. McClendon

Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland Memory and Aging Center, mckee.mcclendon{at}case.edu

This study examines the relationship of personal mastery and perceived emotional support to depressive symptoms for spousal dementia caregivers (CGs) and noncaregiver (NCG) spouses. Although it is well known that caring for a spouse with dementia is stressful and that personal mastery and emotional support may reduce stress, the authors hypothesize that these resources are more important for reducing stress in the difficult situation of dementia care than in everyday life for older persons. In bivariate comparisons, CG levels of perceived support and mastery were lower and depression was higher than for NCGs. Consistent with prior research, a hierarchical multiple regression with combined data shows that CG status was a significant predictor of depressive symptoms. A significant interaction of CG status with personal mastery indicates greater impact of mastery on depression among CGs than among NCGs. This unique finding strongly supports interventions focusing on enhancement of mastery among spousal CGs.

Key Words: family/informal caregiving • dementia • depression • mastery • emotional support

Journal of Applied Gerontology, Vol. 24, No. 5, 475-489 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0733464805278812
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