Attributions, strain and depression in carers of partners with MND: a preliminary investigation.

Further examination of the data of Goldstein et al. (J Neurol Sci 160 (1998) S114) on the impact of MND in their spouses/partners on 19 caregivers investigated whether carers' depression and strain scores could be related to their attributional style. Contrary to expectations, carers' scores on a measure of depressed mood were not correlated with measures of internal/external, stable or global attributions. However, perceived strain was greater in carers who viewed their partners' illness as having a more global impact on their lives, and was related to self-perceived control over their thoughts about their partner. Female carers anticipated experiencing less strain and distress in the following year than male carers, even though they did not differ in current strain levels. Male and female carers received similar numbers of formal services. The availability of informal support (family and friends) was associated with reduced anticipation of future strain and distress and with reduced perception of the pervasive impact of their partners' MND on their lives.