Association of spirituality, quality of life and depression in family members of older adults with dementia

Abstract

Objective  To associate spirituality with the quality of life and depression of family caregivers and understand the family dynamics when there is a member with dementia at home.

Methods  Mixed method study with a sequential exploratory strategy. The following instruments were used in the quantitative phase: the socio-contextual questionnaire, World Health Organization Quality of Life – BREF, Beck Depression Inventory and World Health Organization Quality of Life – spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs. In the qualitative phase, 35 participants responded to a semi-structured interview. The two phases were performed online by means of the Google Forms and Meet platform.

Results  The sample consisted of 100 participants, of which 83% were female aged between 18 and 76 years. In the correlation between WHOQOL-BREF, WHOQOL-SRPB and BDI, the results showed that the lower the depression score, the higher the spirituality and quality of life scores. Three categories emerged from results of the interviews: Family reorganization in the care for the person with dementia; Spirituality and its implications for coping with dementia; Spirituality and support network as a health protection factor for the family caregiver.

Conclusion  Spirituality was as an important coping factor for family caregivers of older adults with dementia, and a factor that reduces the risk of depression and improves quality of life.

Spirituality; Dementia; Family; Caregivers; Quality of life