Association of spirituality, quality of life and depression in family members of older adults with dementia

Abstract

Objective: To associate spirituality with the quality of life and depression of family caregivers and understand the family dynamics when there is a member with dementia at home. Methods: Mixed method study with a sequential exploratory strategy. The following instruments were used in the quantitative phase: the socio-contextual questionnaire, World Health Organization Quality of Life – BREF, Beck Depression Inventory and World Health Organization Quality of Life – spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs. In the qualitative phase, 35 participants responded to a semi-structured interview. The two phases were performed online by means of the Google Forms and Meet platform. Results: The sample consisted of 100 participants, of which 83% were female aged between 18 and 76 years. In the correlation between WHOQOL-BREF, WHOQOL-SRPB and BDI, the results showed that the lower the depression score, the higher the spirituality and quality of life scores. Three categories emerged from results of the interviews: Family reorganization in the care for the person with dementia; Spirituality and its implications for coping with dementia; Spirituality and support network as a health protection factor for the family caregiver. Conclusion: Spirituality was as an important coping factor for family caregivers of older adults with dementia, and a factor that reduces the risk of depression and improves quality of life.