Perceived physical health in family caregivers of Alzheimer patients: Mediator variables
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Abstract
The aim of this work is to know the mediating role of such variables as social support and cope as other associated with Positive Psychology in family caregivers of Alzheimer patients. Method: Participants: 140 caregivers of Alzheimer patients. Instruments: Sociodemographic data; CBI Caregiver Burden Scale; COPE Coping Styles Scale; DUKE.UNC Social Support Scale; QOLLTI-F, Quality of Life in Life Threatening Illness Scale–Family Carers Version; SHS, Subjective Happiness Scale; SWLS, Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results: The most relevant results refer to the partial mediating role of happiness, quality of life and life satisfaction variables between subjective burden and perceived physical health. Conclusions and discussion: Positive Psychology variables such as happiness, quality of life and life satisfaction have shown a mediating role between the perception that Alzheimer's caregivers have of care burden and physical health. We believe that this finding is an important step in the future development and implementation of intervention programs for caregivers that promote variables with positive connotation, because they would change the perception of their own burden and physical health, making them happier and with greater satisfaction and quality of life.
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