Sociological Study of the Relationship between Elderly Care in the Family and the Depression and Anxiety among Caregiver (Case Study of Women Married Elderly Caregivers in Lar City)

Abstract

According to the United Nations Population the number of elderly people is steadily increasing. Women are the major source of informal healthcare. Majority of women might face depression and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to study the level of anxiety and depression and their relationship with some cultural and social factors among caregivers.Data were collected from 377 married elderly caregivers by stratified proportional sampling method and analyzed by SPSS and Amos software.Depression and anxiety rates of the caregivers were assessed by short form of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. The validity had measured by previous studies. Also, in this study, we used face validity and its reliability has been obtained to be 85% by Cronbach's alpha in two parts.The results of this study showed that 33.5% and 44.7% of women caregivers endured mild to very severe depression and anxiety, respectively. Regarding depression, the significant variables were: Age, Family support, religion, number of children, elderly physical condition and also, about anxiety, the significant variables was contained, education, Age, Family support, religion, number of children and elderly physical condition (P <0.005).more attention and support should be paid to this group and appropriate policies should be adopted regarding them. Key word: Informal caring, Anxiety, Depression, Elderly Population, Women Caregivers

Keywords

• informal caring. anxiety
• depression
• elderly population
• women caregivers