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Dependency aspect of caregiver burden is uniquely related to cognitive impairment in Veterans

This study aims to examine the relationship between different facets of caregiver burden and cognitive abilities in a sample of Veteran patients referred for neuropsychological assessment. Understanding these relationships is crucial for guiding treatment and prevention efforts. Results showed that dependency burden was uniquely related to cognitive impairment in Veterans, highlighting the need for monitoring caregiver burden and preventing negative consequences. Further research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship among caregiver burden, illness severity, and diagnosis.

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Dependency aspect of caregiver burden is uniquely related to cognitive impairment in Veterans

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  1. Dependency aspect of caregiver burden is uniquely related to cognitiveimpairment in Veterans Jennifer M. Stinson, PhD; Robert L. Collins, PhD; Kacey Little Maestas, PhD; Vitor Pacheco, MD; Ashley LeMaire, PhD; Jared Benge, PhD

  2. Aim • Examine relation between facets of caregiver burden as well as patients’ cognitive abilities in mixed clinical sample of Veteran patients referred for neuropsychological assessment. • Relevance • Understanding relation between patient characteristics and different facets of caregiver burden is important for guiding treatment and prevention efforts.

  3. Method • Participants: • 243 dyads of caregivers and Veterans referred for neuropsychological evaluation. • Measures: • Caregivers completed Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) to assess caregiver burden. • Patients completed neuropsychological tests measuring attention/processing speed, memory, language, and executive functioning.

  4. Results • Principal components analysis of ZBI: • 3-factor structure: psychosocial burden, dependency burden, and guilt. • Correlations with neuropsychological test performance: • Veterans’ memory, attention, processing speed, executive functioning, and emotional functioning performance were solely related to dependency burden factor. • Additional analyses: • Dementia severity and number of impaired tests further influenced reported caregiver burden.

  5. Conclusion • Neuropsychologists should work to monitor caregiver burden and prevent its negative consequences. • Current study demonstrates that ZBI is sensitive enough to detect caregiver burden among relatively high-functioning, mixed clinical sample. • More research is needed to fully understand complex relationship among caregiver burden, illness severity, and diagnosis.

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