Cognitive style and perceived control in spouse caregivers of dementia sufferers

The study investigated the cognitive style and perception of control in co-resident spouse caregivers of dementia sufferers and their association with psychological adjustment. Depression and strain were significantly correlated with the caregivers' perception that the stress they were experiencing would continue and the expectation that it would affect all areas of their lives. However, the correlations between these factors and depression were no longer significant after partialling out the caregivers' rating of the behavioural disabilities and disturbances of the dementia sufferer. Depression and strain were significantly correlated with the caregivers' perceived lack of control over their own emotional reaction and over the dementia suffers' behaviour.