BACKGROUND

Burden in dementia caregivers is a complex and multidimensional construct. Several models of burden and other representations of burden like depression or mental health are described in literature. To clarify the state of science, we systematically reviewed complex models that include both patient and caregiver determinants of caregiver burden.

OBJECTIVE

A review of determinant models of caregiver burden.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

Electronic databases PubMed, PsycInfo and EMbase were searched in December 2013.

STUDY SELECTION AND ANALYSIS

Research studies with quantitative outcome measures of caregiver burden or burden-related concepts, including both patient and caregiver functional characteristics as determinants. We categorized the determinant variables in the models and calculated the percentages of proven determinants within each category.

RESULTS

We found 32 studies with burden models and 24 depression and mental health models. Patient behavioral problems, caregiver coping and personality traits and competence are most consistent determinants of caregiver burden, depression and mental health. Behavioral problems are more significant than cognitive disorders or lack of self-care. Of all measured caregiver personality traits, neuroticism has the strongest impact on caregiver burden. Regarding caregiver competences, feeling competent or enjoying higher self-efficacy in general diminish caregiver burden and promote caregiver mental health.