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. 2017 Feb;29(2):227-237.
doi: 10.1017/S1041610216001770. Epub 2016 Oct 26.

Influence of personality on depression, burden, and health-related quality of life in family caregivers of persons with dementia

Sun Kyung Kim  1 , Myonghwa Park  1 , Yunhwan Lee  2 , Seong Hye Choi  3 , So Young Moon  4 , Sang Won Seo  5 , Kyung Won Park  6 , Bon D Ku  7 , Hyun Jeong Han  8 , Kee Hyung Park  9 , Seol-Heui Han  10 , Eun-Joo Kim  11 , Jae-Hong Lee  12 , Sun A Park  13 , Yong S Shim  14 , Jong Hun Kim  15 , Chang Hyung Hong  16 , Duk L Na  5 , Byoung Seok Ye  17 , Hee Jin Kim  5 , Yeonsil Moon  10
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Free article

Influence of personality on depression, burden, and health-related quality of life in family caregivers of persons with dementia

Sun Kyung Kim et al. Int Psychogeriatr. 2017 Feb.
Free article

Abstract

Background: Personality may predispose family caregivers to experience caregiving differently in similar situations and influence the outcomes of caregiving. A limited body of research has examined the role of some personality traits for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among family caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD) in relation to burden and depression.

Methods: Data from a large clinic-based national study in South Korea, the Caregivers of Alzheimer's Disease Research (CARE), were analyzed (N = 476). Path analysis was performed to explore the association between family caregivers' personality traits and HRQoL. With depression and burden as mediating factors, direct and indirect associations between five personality traits and HRQoL of family caregivers were examined.

Results: Results demonstrated the mediating role of caregiver burden and depression in linking two personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion) and HRQoL. Neuroticism and extraversion directly and indirectly influenced the mental HRQoL of caregivers. Neuroticism and extraversion only indirectly influenced their physical HRQoL. Neuroticism increased the caregiver's depression, whereas extraversion decreased it. Neuroticism only was mediated by burden to influence depression and mental and physical HRQoL.

Conclusions: Personality traits can influence caregiving outcomes and be viewed as an individual resource of the caregiver. A family caregiver's personality characteristics need to be assessed for tailoring support programs to get the optimal benefits from caregiver interventions.

Keywords: carers; dementia; depression; quality of life.

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