The relationship between mastery and depression among Japanese family caregivers

The present study examined the relationship between caregiver mastery and depressive symptoms among family stroke caregivers in western Japan (N = 100). Family caregivers were identified from a sample of rehabilitation hospitals; participation rate was 100 percent for all eligible caregivers. Caregivers with high mastery were found to have significantly fewer depressive symptoms than low mastery caregivers and were significantly more likely to use a respite caregiver. They also reported significantly less burden, yet paradoxically were significantly more likely to rate their care-recipients as more functionally dependent on them. Caregiver age, health status, and caregiving duration did not relate to mastery. However, men had a significantly higher sense of mastery. In general, findings parallel those for Western family caregivers, although mean mastery scores for Japanese caregivers were lower than those reported for American family caregivers.