Feelings of Guilt and Depression in Family Caregivers after Nursing Home Placement of Older Adults

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate family caregivers' feelings of guilt and depression and identify factors predicting depression after nursing home placement of older adult family members. Methods:Data were collected using questionnaires completed by 112 family caregivers of older adults in nursing homes in Seoul and Gyonggi Province. Feelings of guilt in family caregivers were measure using the Caregiver Guilt Questionnaire (CGQ) and depression, using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D). Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Results:Average score for depression was 22.3 indicating depression status in family members. Factors predicting depressionwere feelings of guilt (β=.39, p