How Dementia Stages Influence the Impact of Stressors and Caregiving Appraisals on Caregiver Well-being

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of dementia stages on the relationship between caregiving stressors, appraisals, and caregiver well-being. A total of 300 caregivers of individuals with dementia, divided into three groups based on dementia severity (early, middle, and late stages), participated in the study. Key variables, including caregiving stressors, perceived burden, caregiving satisfaction, depression, anxiety, and physical well-being, were assessed. The results revealed that caregiving stressors and perceived burden significantly increased across dementia stages, while caregiving satisfaction, physical well-being, and mental health (depression and anxiety) declined. Pearson correlation analyses demonstrated strong associations between caregiving stressors, perceived burden, and poorer well-being, with caregiving satisfaction acting as a protective factor. Moderation analyses showed that caregiving appraisals, particularly perceived burden and caregiving satisfaction, moderated the impact of caregiving stressors on caregiver well-being. Specifically, higher perceived burden intensified the negative effects of caregiving stressors on depression and physical well-being, while greater caregiving satisfaction buffered the negative impact on physical health. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing caregiving stress, enhancing caregiving satisfaction, and managing perceived burden are essential to supporting caregiver well-being across the dementia trajectory. Future research should explore longitudinal data and examine additional factors such as coping strategies and social support.