Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate depression factors of home caregivers for people suffering from dementia.
Method•Results: A conceptual model based on Pearlin's caregiver stress model for people with dementia was used for this purpose. A questionnaire was conducted, and the responses of 103 males and 124 females were analyzed. Depressive conditions were seen in 64.8% of all caregivers surveyed, though no significant difference between the sexes was found. There were no differences between the sexes in the scores for caregivers' burden, self-efficacy and self-esteem. After descriptive analysis, factor analysis was conducted to extract latent factors from caregivers' backgrounds, after which such factors were introduced into the model. Multiple-group analysis owing to gender difference was performed, and good conformity was obtained. For caregivers, the background factors had a strong effect on the depressed state. Pass coefficients of caregivers' burden and self-efficacy of males were also larger than those of females. But self- esteem of females was larger than those of males.
Discussion: In addition to the background factors of the caregiver, it was suggested that proactively maintaining male's self-efficacy and female's self- esteem are an important factor in preventing depression.
