Quality of life, severity of burden and sleep disturbances among caregivers of people with dementia

Introduction
Aim of the study was to evaluate factors contributing to the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers of people with dementia. A number of previous studies have indicated different lower QoL predictors. However, the multidimensional approach was needed to assess aspects rarely taken into account: quality of sleep and individual resources such as locus of control. In our study, the QoL predictors were divided according to the traditional approach into subjective and objective factors.

Material and methods
Forty-eight caregivers of patients with dementia took part in the study. Caregivers responded to the Barthel Index (BI), Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), General Quality of Life (QoL), Levenson Locus of Control Brief Scales (LOC-Brief) as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results
The present study revealed a strong negative correlation between the quality of the caregiver’s life and time spent on caring duties (r = –0.68). Also, the severity of depression symptoms (r = –0.83) presents a strong negative correlation with the quality of the caregiver’s life, whereas the quality of sleep correlates moderately with life quality (r = –0.47). A strong positive relationship of the depression symptoms (r = 0.75) and caregiver’s burden was found in the sample. The severity of the burden and depression symptoms significantly lower the caregiver’s quality of life (R2 = 0.71).

Conclusions
The findings suggest that more severe depression symptoms were the most important predictor of low QoL. Furthermore, sleep difficulties contributed to poorer QoL. Caregivers’ burden did not predict QoL.