Traumatic Grief, Depression and Caregiving in Elderly Spouses of the Terminally Ill

Abstract

This study examined the effects of changes in role function, caregiving tasks, caregiver burden and gratification on symptoms of depression and traumatic grief. Data were derived from rater-administered and self-report questionnaires completed by seventy aged spouses of the terminally ill. The results of multiple regression analyses indicated that the level of caregiver burden was significantly associated with the respondent's level of depression and traumatic grief. Results also indicated that changes in role function, specifically in change in restriction of sports and recreational activities, were associated with the caregiver's level of depression, but not with the caregiver's level of traumatic grief. The number of IADL tasks performed for the critically ill spouse was negatively associated with the caregiver's level of depression (i.e., the fewer IADLs performed for the spouse, the greater severity of depressive symptoms). The number of ADL tasks performed for the spouse or caregiver gratification was not significantly associated with the caregiver's level of either depression or traumatic grief.