The impact of sociodemographic variables on anxiety and depression in caregivers

Abstract

Caregivers for people with disabilities may encounter substantial mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, stemming from the rigorous demands of caregiving. Comprehending the mental health of these caregivers is essential for enhancing their well-being and delivering appropriate support. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in caregivers of individuals with disabilities and to investigate the relationship between these symptoms and sociodemographic variables. The Vietnamese adaptations of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item scale (PHQ-9) were administered to 914 caregivers. Descriptive statistics summarized mental health symptoms, whereas t-tests and ANOVA examined variations depending on gender, consumption of alcohol, and marital status. The findings indicated that caregivers displayed differing degrees of anxiety and depression, with females reporting elevated levels of both in comparison to males. Female caregivers exhibited elevated mean scores for both depression (M = 0.29, SD = 0.41) and anxiety (M = 0.32, SD = 0.49) in contrast to male caregivers, who demonstrated lower scores for depression (M = 0.18, SD = 0.30) and anxiety (M = 0.19, SD = 0.36). Caregivers who consumed alcohol exhibited lower depression scores (M = 0.14, SD = 0.22) in contrast to those who abstained from alcohol (M = 0.26, SD = 0.39), revealing a statistically significant difference in depression levels (p < 0.05). Marital status has shown strong correlations with scores for both depression and anxiety disorders. The changes were statistically significant for both depression (F(901, 3) = 9.250, p < 0.001) and anxiety disorder (F(901, 3) = 4.895, p = 0.002). Widowed caregivers exhibited the highest levels of depression (M = 0.54, SD = 0.58) and anxiety (M = 0.51, SD = 0.06). Caregivers of individuals with impairments endure substantial anxiety and depression, with notable sociodemographic disparities in symptom severity. These findings underscore the necessity for specialized mental health therapies to assist this demographic.