WORSENING OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY SINCE BEFORE COVID-19 AMONG CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
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AbstractThis study examines factors associated with self-reported worsening of depressive symptomatology since before the COVID-19 pandemic among caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD). Cross-sectional baseline survey data were analyzed from 76 paid and unpaid caregivers of PLWD participating in a larger NIH-funded study assessing the feasibility of using a novel in-situ sensor system. Using the PHQ-2, caregivers were asked to report their depressive symptomatology twice: (1) retrospectively before the COVID-19 pandemic started; and (2) since the COVID-19 pandemic. A change score was calculated, and whether or not caregivers depressive symptomatology worsened since before the pandemic served as the dependent variable. A logistic regression model was fitted, controlling for contextual items related to the caregiver, care recipient, and caregiving logistics. On average, caregivers were age 58.09(16.92) and the majority was female (84.2%). Thirty percent of caregivers reported worse depressive symptomatology since the COVID-19 pandemic than before the COVID-19 pandemic started. Caregivers who were female (OR=25.86, P=0.028), not paid for caregiving (OR=14.59, P=0.047), had lower annual household incomes (OR=0.50, P=0.032), and whose care recipients had higher Mini-Mental State Exam scores (OR=1.78, P=0.005) were more likely to report worse depressive symptomatology since the COVID-19 pandemic. Results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified depressive symptomatology for many caregivers, and unpaid, female caregivers with fewer financial resources have been especially impacted. As the pandemic continues, support for caregivers of PLWD should be tailored to specifically meet their needs and circumstances.
