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Episodic memory and executive functioning in informal dementia caregivers
Jütten,Linda Mark,Ruth Sitskoorn,Margriet
Jütten,Linda
Mark,Ruth
Sitskoorn,Margriet
Abstract
Objectives: Informal dementia caregivers are thought to experience high levels of depression and burden, which can contribute to worse cognitive functioning. However, poorer cognitive functioning in caregivers is not always found. The current study explored whether caregivers perform better, worse, or similar to non-caregivers on tasks for executive functioning and memory. Whether sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics are associated with caregivers’ performance was also assessed. Methods: One hundred forty-five caregivers completed the Letter Fluency and Category Fluency, the Logical Memory test from the WMS-III, and five questionnaires assessing psychological characteristics. Standardized z-scores (based on age, education, and sex) were calculated using data from a matched control group (187 non-caregivers). One sample z-tests were executed to examine if the caregivers’ standardized mean z-score significantly deviated from the population mean of z = 0. The z-scores were used as dependent variables in multivariable regression analyses. Results: The caregivers performed significantly better on Logical Memory - Immediate Recall than non-caregivers (z = 2.92, p = .004). The obtained z-scores on the other tasks did not deviate significantly from 0. Male sex and social reliance predicted higher scores on Category Fluency, but the F-test was non-significant, and the explained variance was low (adjusted R2 = .068). Conclusions: We found no evidence for poorer cognitive performance among informal caregivers compared to non-caregivers. Our results suggest that caregiving for a loved one with dementia does not impair the caregivers’ episodic memory or executive functioning when measured cross-sectionally.
Description
This work was supported by the program Memorabel, of The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw), part of The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO); and Alzheimer Nederland (project number: 733050608). However, solely the authors are responsible for the design and conduct of this study, study analyses, interpreting, drafting and editing of this article.
Date
2020
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Keywords
ANXIETY, COGNITIVE DECLINE, Caregivers, DEPRESSION, FALSE DISCOVERY RATE, FAMILY CAREGIVERS, HPA AXIS, LIFE EVENTS, MORTALITY, RISK, STRESS, cognition, dementia, executive functioning, informal
Citation
Jütten, L, Mark, R & Sitskoorn, M 2020, 'Episodic memory and executive functioning in informal dementia caregivers', Aging & Mental Health, vol. 24, no. 10, pp. 1681-1689. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2019.1617242