Distressing emotions in female caregivers of people with AIDS, age-relateddementias, and advanced-stage cancers

PURPOSE. TO describe and compare the;depressive mood, anxiety, anger and sl eep problems of informal female caregivers of people with AIDS, age-related dementias (ARD), and cancer (CA). METHODS. Caregivers recruited from clinics serving people with AIDS, ARD, a nd CA were interviewed using structured instruments measuring depressive sy mptoms, anxiety, anger, and sleep problems. Data analysis compared these em otions in the caregivers and related aspects of the caregiving situation to these emotions within each group. FINDINGS. Caregivers did not differ significantly in depressive mood, but d id differ in anxiety and anger and sleep problems. Individual items on each scale were compared to provide move descriptive detail. In each group, dis tressing emotions were significantly related to each other and to sleep pro blems. CONCLUSIONS. Caregivers of people with AIDS, ARD, and CA experience distres sing emotions that may affect their mental and physical health. A comprehen sive approach to mental health nursing therapy will best meet the needs of caregivers in relieving their distress.