Gerontology Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of A Coruña, Campus de Oza, E-15006, A Coruña, Spain.
Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2013 Jan-Feb;56(1):91-5. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2012.07.011. Epub 2012 Aug 18.
Most studies reflect dementia caregivers usually sustain higher levels of burden compared to other caregivers. However, they do not consider variability within the caregiver, such as personality traits. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of extraversion and neuroticism on dementia caregiver burden. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 33 caregivers looking after demented-patients. All caregivers had intense burden levels, and their personality, depression, anxiety and self-rated health were evaluated. Personality variables had important effects on the caregiver burden and consequences on their mental health. Neuroticism was significantly correlated with burden (r=0.6, p<0.01), depression (r=0.68, p<0.01) and both anxiety measures, state (r=0.46, p<0.01) and trait (r=0.67, p<0.01). Extraversion was significantly correlated with neuroticism (r=-0.42, p<0.01) and burden (r=-0.46, p<0.01). Finally, depression was significantly correlated with state (r=0.63, p<0.01) and trait anxiety (r=0.66, p<0.01). These results indicate the importance of considering the caregiver personality in the theoretical and empirical models of the caring process. It is necessary to adequately assess the caregiver personality, as those presenting high levels of neuroticism and low levels of extraversion are more vulnerable to experience negative caring effects.
大多数研究表明，与其他照顾者相比，痴呆症照顾者通常承受着更高水平的负担。然而，他们并没有考虑到照顾者内部的变异性，例如个性特征。本研究旨在探讨外向性和神经质对痴呆症照顾者负担的影响。采用横断面描述性研究方法，对 33 名照顾痴呆患者的照顾者进行了研究。所有照顾者的负担水平都很高，评估了他们的个性、抑郁、焦虑和自我健康状况。个性变量对照顾者的负担有重要影响，并对他们的心理健康产生后果。神经质与负担（r=0.6，p<0.01）、抑郁（r=0.68，p<0.01）以及两种焦虑测量（状态焦虑 r=0.46，p<0.01；特质焦虑 r=0.67，p<0.01）显著相关。外向性与神经质（r=-0.42，p<0.01）和负担（r=-0.46，p<0.01）显著相关。最后，抑郁与状态焦虑（r=0.63，p<0.01）和特质焦虑（r=0.66，p<0.01）显著相关。这些结果表明，在照顾过程的理论和实证模型中，考虑照顾者个性的重要性。有必要充分评估照顾者的个性，因为那些表现出高水平神经质和低水平外向性的人更容易经历负面的照顾效果。
