Public Health.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Psychological distress is prevalent among family caregivers of individuals with neurocognitive disorders (NCDs).
• Suicidal ideation is a severe outcome requiring investigation in this vulnerable population.
• The potential moderating role of positive caregiving experiences needs exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate suicidal ideation in family caregivers of NCD patients.
• To examine the moderating effect of positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) on psychological distress and suicidal ideation.
• To understand the interplay between carer burden, psychological distress, and suicidal ideation.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 445 older adults (322 with NCDs) and their caregivers from the Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey.
• Screened caregiver suicidal ideation using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
• Assessed positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) and carer burden; analyzed mediation and moderation effects.

Main Results:

• 9% of dementia caregivers reported suicidal ideation in the past two weeks.
• Psychological distress mediated the relationship between carer burden and suicidal ideation (80.5%).
• Higher PAC levels were linked to lower suicidal ideation in caregivers with moderate-to-high burden (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Suicidal ideation in caregivers is associated with caring burden and psychological distress.
• Positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) can buffer the negative impact of burden and distress.
• Interventions should focus on enhancing PAC, particularly for caregivers with high psychological distress.