Predictors of burnout in the family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease: evidence from Turkey

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors related to burnout in the family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: Subjects included in the study were 44 Alzheimer's disease patients and their primary caregivers. Patients were evaluated with Mini Mental State Examination, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Physical Self-Maintenance Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale, and carers were administered Maslach Burnout Inventory, Ways of Coping Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

Results: The emotional exhaustion of caregivers revealed a significant relationship with the caregivers' anxiety, submissive approach for coping and the patient's self-maintenance. Depersonalisation was found to be related to the depression score of the patient.

Discussion: This study may serve to increase clinicians' awareness of burnout in relatives of dementia patients. It points to the fact that research for determining the causes and consequences of burnout in the family caregivers is warranted.