Caregiver burden: gender and the psychological costs of caregiving

Abstract

The psychological costs of providing care for a parent with Alzheimer's disease are examined, together with the consequences of depression, anxiety, guilt, and resentment in relation to the caregiver's coping style, social support, and sense of control. The use of fantasy by women as a coping mechanism was associated with greater anxiety and depression, adequate social support was somewhat more helpful for men, and a sense of control was more helpful for women.