Personal Growth and Psychological Well-Being of Dementia Caregivers

Abstract

Dementia is a neurological condition that impacts mental processes such as reasoning or the ability to think. Caregiving for such individuals is a strenuous process that leads to both positive and negative changes in the caregiver’s life. Thus, the purpose of this research was to investigate the correlation between the personal growth and psychological well-being of caregivers. With the aid of pre-existing literature, two hypotheses were formed: (i) there is a positive correlation between personal growth and psychological well-being of a dementia caregiver, (ii) having significant social support positively correlates with improved personal growth and psychological well-being of the caregiver. Using convenient sampling, a sample of 102 participants from Pakistan above the age of 18 was selected, and two scales were administered to the participants. The first scale was ‘the role of caregivers' skills in caregivers' syndrome and caregivers' burden’, which assessed the extent of changes in psychological well-being and personal growth that the severity of dementia within patients had on the patient’s caregiver.  The second was the ‘Caregiver Appraisal Scale’ which measured the caregiver’s burden, satisfaction, mastery, demands and the impact experienced by them. No deception was involved, and confidentiality of participants was maintained. Their participation was completely voluntary and their rights as research participants were protected at all times. Results were analyzed using the correlation coefficient. No significant correlation was found for either of the hypotheses. This research aimed to create awareness regarding the significance of being a caregiver and what it entails.