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Sociocultural Influences on the Feeling of Loneliness of Family Caregivers of People with Dementia: The Role of Kinship

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina Huertas-Domingo

    (Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain)

  • María Márquez-González

    (Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain)

  • Isabel Cabrera

    (Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain)

  • Samara Barrera-Caballero

    (Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain)

  • María del Sequeros Pedroso-Chaparro

    (Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain)

  • Rosa Romero-Moreno

    (Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain)

  • Andrés Losada-Baltar

    (Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The extent to which familism, dysfunctional thoughts, and coping variables contribute to explaining feelings of loneliness in caregivers, controlling for kinship, is analyzed. Participants were 273 family caregivers of people with dementia. Sociodemographic variables, familism, dysfunctional thoughts, coping strategies for requesting and receiving help, perceived social support, and leisure activities were assessed. The fit of a theoretical model for explaining the effect of cultural and psychological variables on feelings of loneliness in each kinship group was tested. No significant differences in the distribution of loneliness by kinship were found. Higher levels of familism are associated with more dysfunctional thoughts, that are linked to more maladaptive strategies for coping with caring (e.g., less social support and fewer leisure activities). This in turn is associated with higher scores in the feeling of loneliness. The model bore particular relevance to the group of daughters, husbands, and sons, yet not in the case of wives. Sociocultural and coping factors associated with the caring process seem to play an important role in explaining feelings of loneliness in caregivers. Sociocultural factors associated with the care process seem to play an important role in explaining feelings of loneliness in caregivers.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Huertas-Domingo & María Márquez-González & Isabel Cabrera & Samara Barrera-Caballero & María del Sequeros Pedroso-Chaparro & Rosa Romero-Moreno & Andrés Losada-Baltar, 2021. "Sociocultural Influences on the Feeling of Loneliness of Family Caregivers of People with Dementia: The Role of Kinship," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4700-:d:545501
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Baila Miller & Shenyang Guo, 2000. "Social Support for Spouse Caregivers of Persons With Dementia," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 55(3), pages 163-172.
    2. Bob G. Knight & Philip Sayegh, 2009. "Cultural Values and Caregiving: The Updated Sociocultural Stress and Coping Model," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 65(1), pages 5-13.
    3. Martin Pinquart & Silvia Sörensen, 2006. "Gender Differences in Caregiver Stressors, Social Resources, and Health: An Updated Meta-Analysis," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 61(1), pages 33-45.
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    1. Marcus F. Johansson & Kevin J. McKee & Lena Dahlberg & Martina Summer Meranius & Christine L. Williams & Lena Marmstål Hammar, 2022. "Negative Impact and Positive Value of Caregiving in Spouse Carers of Persons with Dementia in Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, February.

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