Burden self-image: A mediating variable of depressive symptoms among chronically ill care recipients

A model in which burden self image (perception of self as a burden on one's caregiver) is a mediating variable between depressive symptoms and health status, financial resources, spirituality, reciprocal behavior, and apprais al of caregiver behavior among older chronically ill care recipients was pr oposed and tested. Data from 286 elders revealed that burden self image, re ciprocal behavior, and gender had a direct effect on depressive symptoms. B urden self image was predicted by poorer health status, fewer financial res ources, less spiritual activity, and negative appraisal of caregiver behavi or. Increased spiritual activity, more financial resources, better health s tatus, and younger age predicted increased reciprocal behavior. The model a ccounted for 46% of the variance in depressive symptom scores.