BEHAVIORAL-PROBLEMS AND DISTRESS AMONG CAREGIVERS OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA

This paper seeks to identify specific problem behaviours related to th e distress experienced by informal caregivers of dementia victims. Ana lyses are conducted using a random sample of caregivers rather than a restricted clinical sample. Distress is measured in terms of both depr ession and caregiver burden. The findings reveal that specific behavio urs on the part of the care receiver are strong correlates of the dist ress experienced by caregivers. In particular, aimlessness, aggressive behaviours, forgetfulness, and restlessness are correlated with heigh tened feelings of burden. Apathy or a lack of interest in daily activi ties is strongly correlated with both feelings of burden and depressio n. The identification of specific problem behaviours suggests where ef forts should be placed in order to alleviate the distress experienced by informal caregivers.