MOOD REGULATION EXPECTANCIES, COPING RESPONSES, DEPRESSION, AND SENSEOF BURDEN IN FEMALE CAREGIVERS OF ALZHEIMERS PATIENTS

This study focused on the role of generalized expectancies for negativ e mood regulation in coping among caregivers to Alzheimer's disease pa tients. Self-report measures were used to obtain information on expect ancies, hassles, coping strategies, depressive symptoms, and sense of burden from 73 female primary caregivers in support groups. Stronger e xpectancies for negative mood regulation were associated with less sev ere depressive symptoms, even with stress levels and coping responses controlled. These expectancies were also associated with less avoidant coping, but were unrelated to active coping. Burden and depressive sy mptoms were strongly related, but correlated differently with other va riables.