Peter P Vitaliano1,2, Ozge Ustundag2, Soo Borson1. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle. 2. Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle.
Abstract
Purpose of the study: Caregivers (CGs) have been shown to do more poorly than non-caregivers (NCGs) on objective cognitive tests (Trails B and Digit Symbol Test, DST), but less is known about whether these groups differ in: (a) reports of subjective cognitive problems (SCPs, memory complaints, etc.) and (b) relationships of SCPs with objective cognitive tests, depression, and stress exposure. Such relationships are important because researchers/clinicians use SCPs as proxies for objective cognitive tests. Design and methods: One hundred and twenty-two spouse CGs of persons with Alzheimer's disease and 117 demographically matched NCG spouses were compared on Trails B and DST at baseline (T1), 1 year later (T2), and 2 years later (T3) and on SCPs at T1. Results: Trails B was slower in CGs than NCGs and DST declined in CGs relative to NCGs. CGs reported more SCPs than NCGs. Depression mediated group differences in Trails and DST and was also associated with SCPs. Trails B and DST explained variance in SCPs in NCGs, but not in CGs. Hours of care explained variance in SCPs in CGs, but not in NCGs. Implications: When using SCPs to make inferences about CG cognitive function, researchers/clinicians should consider the possible influence of stress exposures and depression. The lack of associations of objective and subjective cognitive measures may be a reflection of poorer self-monitoring among CGs, a potential new area of CG research.
Purpose of the study: Caregivers (CGs) have been shown to do more poorly than non-caregivers (NCGs) on objective cognitive tests (Trails B and Digit Symbol Test, DST), but less is known about whether these groups differ in: (a) reports of subjective cognitive problems (SCPs, memory complaints, etc.) and (b) relationships of SCPs with objective cognitive tests, depression, and stress exposure. Such relationships are important because researchers/clinicians use SCPs as proxies for objective cognitive tests. Design and methods: One hundred and twenty-two spouse CGs of persons with Alzheimer's disease and 117 demographically matched NCG spouses were compared on Trails B and DST at baseline (T1), 1 year later (T2), and 2 years later (T3) and on SCPs at T1. Results: Trails B was slower in CGs than NCGs and DST declined in CGs relative to NCGs. CGs reported more SCPs than NCGs. Depression mediated group differences in Trails and DST and was also associated with SCPs. Trails B and DST explained variance in SCPs in NCGs, but not in CGs. Hours of care explained variance in SCPs in CGs, but not in NCGs. Implications: When using SCPs to make inferences about CG cognitive function, researchers/clinicians should consider the possible influence of stress exposures and depression. The lack of associations of objective and subjective cognitive measures may be a reflection of poorer self-monitoring among CGs, a potential new area of CG research.
Authors: Stephen R Wisniewski; Steven H Belle; David W Coon; Susan M Marcus; Marcia G Ory; Louis D Burgio; Robert Burns; Richard Schulz Journal: Psychol Aging Date: 2003-09
Authors: M S Corrêa; K Vedovelli; B L Giacobbo; C E B de Souza; P Ferrari; I I de Lima Argimon; J C Walz; F Kapczinski; E Bromberg Journal: Neuroscience Date: 2014-12-06 Impact factor: 3.590
Authors: Marjolein E de Vugt; Jelle Jolles; Liesbeth van Osch; Fred Stevens; Pauline Aalten; Richel Lousberg; Frans R J Verhey Journal: Age Ageing Date: 2006-03 Impact factor: 10.668
Authors: Courtney A Polenick; Amanda N Leggett; Noah J Webster; Benjamin H Han; Steven H Zarit; John D Piette Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2020-01-01 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: Courtney A Polenick; Lianlian Lei; Annie N Zhou; Kira S Birditt; Donovan T Maust Journal: Aging Ment Health Date: 2021-03-22 Impact factor: 3.658
Authors: Hee Won Yang; Jong Bin Bae; Dae Jong Oh; Dong Gyu Moon; Eunji Lim; Jin Shin; Bong Jo Kim; Dong Woo Lee; Jeong Lan Kim; Jin Hyeong Jhoo; Joon Hyuk Park; Jung Jae Lee; Kyung Phil Kwak; Seok Bum Lee; Seok Woo Moon; Seung-Ho Ryu; Shin Gyeom Kim; Ji Won Han; Ki Woong Kim Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2021-12-01