Anxiety, Depression, and Psychological Well-Being Among the Caregivers of Alzheimer's Disease Patients

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative, progressive and irreversible chronic brain disease. It has an insidious onset; is characterized by gradual loss of cognitive and behavioral functions, and by affection disturbances, compromising the physical, mental and social integrity of the elderly. Present study examined anxiety, depression and psychological well-being among the Caregivers of Alzheimer's disease Patients. Sinha's anxiety scale, Beck depression inventory (BDI) and Ryff's scale of psychological well-being were administered on 20 the subjects in VIMHANS, New Delhi. The data were analyzed by using small sample t- test. Results demonstrated that significant differences were found between male and female caregivers on depression, self-acceptance, positive relations with others, autonomy, and environmental mastery dimensions of psychological wellbeing. Female scored higher than male on depression whereas, male scored higher than females on self-acceptance, positive relations with others, autonomy, and environmental mastery dimensions of psychological wellbeing. However, significant differences were not found between male and female caregivers on anxiety, purpose in life, and personal growth dimensions of psychological wellbeing.