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From Burden to Depressive Symptoms in Informal Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Path Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Tatjana Rajovic

    (Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    First co-authors.)

  • Natasa Todorovic

    (Red Cross of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    First co-authors.)

  • Milutin Vracevic

    (Red Cross of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Nina Rajovic

    (Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Andrija Pavlovic

    (Department of Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Vedrana Pavlovic

    (Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Igor Grbic

    (Department for Neurology and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia)

  • Rosa Sapic

    (Department of Occupational Therapy, College for Social Work, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Slavica Krsmanovic

    (Medical School, Academy of Applied Studies Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Marijana Vukmirovic

    (Center for Informatics and Biostatistics Belgrade, Public Health Institute, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Tamara Stanisavljevic

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Ksenija Markovic

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Tanja Mostic

    (Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Dejana Stanisavljevic

    (Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Senior co-authors.)

  • Natasa Milic

    (Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
    Senior co-authors.)

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the complex relationship between the multiple determinants of the caregiving process, the caregiver burden, and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a nationally representative sample (n = 798) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia from March to September 2020. A nine-section questionnaire designed for this study included the characteristics of caregivers, characteristics of care and care recipients, COVID-19 related questions, and the following standardized instruments: 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Fatigue Severity Scale, Activities of Daily Living Scale and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory. Path analysis was used for the simultaneous assessment of the direct and indirect relationships of all determinants. Results: More than two thirds (71.9%) of informal caregivers experienced a burden, and more than one quarter (27.1%) had depression symptomatology. Self-rated physical health, need for psychosocial support, and caregiver burden were the main direct predictors of depression. Multiple determinants of the caregiving process had indirect effects on depressive symptomatology via the caregiver burden as a mediating factor. Conclusions: The subjective burden presented a significant risk factor for depressive symptoms in caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The provision of psychosocial support was identified as an important opportunity to reduce depressive risk in informal caregivers.

Suggested Citation

  • Tatjana Rajovic & Natasa Todorovic & Milutin Vracevic & Nina Rajovic & Andrija Pavlovic & Vedrana Pavlovic & Igor Grbic & Rosa Sapic & Slavica Krsmanovic & Marijana Vukmirovic & Tamara Stanisavljevic , 2021. "From Burden to Depressive Symptoms in Informal Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Path Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9577-:d:633433
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Rafael del-Pino-Casado & Marta Rodríguez Cardosa & Catalina López-Martínez & Vasiliki Orgeta, 2019. "The association between subjective caregiver burden and depressive symptoms in carers of older relatives: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-16, May.
    4. Martin Pinquart & Silvia Sörensen, 2003. "Associations of Stressors and Uplifts of Caregiving With Caregiver Burden and Depressive Mood: A Meta-Analysis," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 58(2), pages 112-128.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cedomir Ustevic & Nina Rajovic & Dejana Stanisavljevic & Danijela Tiosavljevic & Andrija Pavlovic & Radica Tasic & Tatjana Rajovic & Jovana Grupkovic & Filip Pilipovic & Vedrana Pejin & Petar Milcanov, 2023. "From Sarcopenia to Depressive Symptoms in Elderly: A Path Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.

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