Abstract WP463: Moderator Role of Preparedness on the Association Between Depression and Quality of Life in Stroke Survivor-Caregiver Dyads
Autori
Abstract
Background
Although several studies have clearly shown that depressive symptoms in stroke survivors and caregivers decreases their quality of life (QOL), previous research has not yet analyzed the role of potential moderators in the relationship between the above two variables.
Aims
To examine the moderating effect of caregiver preparedness between depressive symptoms and QOL in stroke survivor and caregiver dyads.
Methods
Longitudinal design with 222 stroke survivor-caregiver dyads enrolled at survivor discharge from rehabilitation hospitals. Data collection was performed over 12 months. We measured survivor and caregiver QOL dimensions (physical, psychological, social and environmental), depression and preparedness. Hierarchical Linear Modeling was used to test four longitudinal dyadic moderation models (one for each QOL domain).
Results
Survivors (50% males) and caregivers (65% females) were 70.8 (SD=11.9) and 52.5 (SD=13.1) years old, respectively. Controlling for baseline covariates, caregiver preparedness significantly moderated the association between survivor depressive symptoms and survivor psychological (B = 0.56, p < .01) and environmental (B = 0.58, p < .01) QOL at baseline and social QOL over time (B = 0.24, p < .05). In each case, higher levels of caregiver preparedness were protective and buffered the influence of survivor depressive symptoms on survivor QOL. Similarly, caregiver preparedness significantly moderated the association between caregiver depressive symptoms and caregiver physical (B = 0.25, p < .01) and environmental (B = 0.18, p < .05) QOL over time.
Conclusions
Caregiver preparedness is a positive variable for both members of the dyad and the paper highlights the importance of implementing tailored intervention which could improve caregivers’ preparedness already during the rehabilitation period.
