Mattia Siciliano1,2,3, Gabriella Santangelo1,4, Francesca Trojsi2, Carmela Di Somma1, Manila Patrone1, Cinzia Femiano2, Maria Rosaria Monsurrò2, Luigi Trojano1,5, Gioacchino Tedeschi2. 1. a Department of Psychology , Second University of Naples , Caserta , Italy. 2. b Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences , Second University of Naples (SUN) , Naples , Italy. 3. c Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Sciences , University "Federico II" , Naples , Italy. 4. d IDC-Hermitage-Capodimonte , Naples , Italy , and. 5. e Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute of Telese , Telese Terme , Benevento , Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) causes distress in caregivers. The present study aims to examine the association between coping strategies and psychological distress in caregivers of ALS patients. METHODS: Coping strategies were assessed in 96 ALS informal caregivers by means of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations. Data about caregivers' demographic characteristics, levels of burden, depression and anxiety (psychological distress) were also gathered by standardised questionnaires. Patients' clinical, cognitive and behavioural disturbances were evaluated by ALS specific assessment tools. RESULTS: Sequential logistic regression analysis showed that emotion-oriented coping strategy was significantly associated with high levels of depressive (p < 0.01) and anxiety (p < 0.05) symptoms and high levels of burden (p < 0.05), after controlling for all other variables. Moreover, a significant relationship of patients' functional dependence levels with burden experienced by caregivers was observed. No relationships were detected between task-oriented and avoidance-oriented coping strategies and caregivers' levels of psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: The present study supported the mediating effects of coping strategies on intensity of burden, depression and anxiety experienced by ALS caregivers. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing utilisation of maladaptive coping strategies may improve well-being in ALS caregivers, and, possibly, management of symptoms in ALS patients.
BACKGROUND:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) causes distress in caregivers. The present study aims to examine the association between coping strategies and psychological distress in caregivers of ALSpatients. METHODS: Coping strategies were assessed in 96 ALS informal caregivers by means of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations. Data about caregivers' demographic characteristics, levels of burden, depression and anxiety (psychological distress) were also gathered by standardised questionnaires. Patients' clinical, cognitive and behavioural disturbances were evaluated by ALS specific assessment tools. RESULTS: Sequential logistic regression analysis showed that emotion-oriented coping strategy was significantly associated with high levels of depressive (p < 0.01) and anxiety (p < 0.05) symptoms and high levels of burden (p < 0.05), after controlling for all other variables. Moreover, a significant relationship of patients' functional dependence levels with burden experienced by caregivers was observed. No relationships were detected between task-oriented and avoidance-oriented coping strategies and caregivers' levels of psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: The present study supported the mediating effects of coping strategies on intensity of burden, depression and anxiety experienced by ALS caregivers. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing utilisation of maladaptive coping strategies may improve well-being in ALS caregivers, and, possibly, management of symptoms in ALSpatients.
Entities:
Keywords:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. coping strategies; ECAS; Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen; caregiver burden; psychological distress
Authors: Elisa Aust; Katharina Linse; Sven-Thomas Graupner; Markus Joos; Daniel Liebscher; Julian Grosskreutz; Johannes Prudlo; Thomas Meyer; René Günther; Sebastian Pannasch; Andreas Hermann Journal: J Neurol Date: 2022-07-06 Impact factor: 6.682
Authors: Tom Burke; Jennifer Wilson O'Raghallaigh; Sinead Maguire; Miriam Galvin; Mark Heverin; Orla Hardiman; Niall Pender Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-09-20 Impact factor: 2.692