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Self-Mastery and Dementia Caregiver Burden: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Elizabeth Cousins-Whitus1, Erin Burke1, Mary Beth Spitznagel1
1Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Ohio, USA.
Clinical Gerontologist
|March 11, 2025
Summary
Self-mastery can reduce the negative impact of dementia caregiver burden. However, this effect may be weaker for extended family caregivers or those with frontotemporal dementia.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Dementia caregiving is associated with significant caregiver burden.
- Self-mastery may serve as a protective factor against this burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the relationship between self-mastery and dementia caregiver burden.
- To examine potential moderating variables in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search of PubMed, PsychInfo, Scopus, and Medline databases.
- Meta-regression analysis of 25 eligible studies using a continuous random effects model.
- Assessment of bias risk using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies.
Main Results:
- A medium strength negative correlation (r=-.347) was found between self-mastery and caregiver burden.
- The relationship was attenuated by the percentage of extended family caregivers and cases with frontotemporal dementia.
Conclusions:
- Self-mastery appears to mitigate dementia caregiver burden.
- The protective effect may be diminished in specific contexts, such as extended family caregiving or frontotemporal dementia cases.
- Future research should explore a wider range of moderator variables.
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