Ng Yee To, Kratz Anna, Turkelson Angela, Birditt Kira
Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Alzheimers Dement. 2025 May;21(5):e70281. doi: 10.1002/alz.70281.
Caregiver-care recipient (CR) interactions are central to caregiving, yet little is known about dementia caregivers' daily experiences with CRs. This study examines within-day effects of time interacting with CRs and interaction quality on caregivers' heart rate (HR) and whether friend interactions buffer these effects.
Dementia caregivers (N = 221) completed baseline interviews and 5-day ecological momentary assessments (EMAs), reporting time and interaction quality with CRs and friend interactions every 3 hours while wearing heart monitors.
Within-day analyses revealed time with CRs was associated with increased HR, primarily due to negative interactions. Friend interactions buffered the adverse effects of time interacting with CR and negative CR interactions on elevated HR. Moreover, positive CR interactions were linked to lower HR when paired with friend interactions.
Findings provide insights into interventions that reduce negative exchanges within the caregiver-CR dyad and friend-based programs, which could enhance cardiovascular health among dementia caregivers.
More time interacting with the care recipient (CR) was associated with an elevated heart rate (HR). Negative daily experiences with CRs are more salient in contributing to caregivers' cardiovascular strain. Friend interactions can temporarily buffer the adverse effects mentioned above. Positive CR interactions linked to lower HR when paired with friend interactions. Socializing with friends can be beneficial, even if some interactions are negative.
照顾者与受照顾者（CR）之间的互动是护理工作的核心，但对于痴呆症照顾者与CR的日常经历却知之甚少。本研究考察了与CR互动的时间和互动质量对照顾者心率（HR）的日内影响，以及与朋友的互动是否能缓冲这些影响。
痴呆症照顾者（N = 221）完成了基线访谈和为期5天的生态瞬时评估（EMA），在佩戴心率监测仪的同时，每3小时报告一次与CR互动的时间和互动质量以及与朋友的互动情况。
日内分析显示，与CR相处的时间与心率升高有关，主要是由于消极互动。与朋友的互动缓冲了与CR互动的时间和消极的CR互动对心率升高的不利影响。此外，当与朋友互动同时出现时，积极的CR互动与较低的心率相关。
研究结果为减少照顾者与CR二元组内消极交流的干预措施以及基于朋友的项目提供了见解，这些措施可能会改善痴呆症照顾者的心血管健康。
与受照顾者（CR）互动的时间增加与心率升高有关。与CR的负面日常经历在导致照顾者心血管压力方面更为突出。与朋友的互动可以暂时缓冲上述不利影响。当与朋友互动同时出现时，积极的CR互动与较低的心率相关。即使有些互动是消极的，与朋友交往也是有益的。
