Stigma, Expressed Emotion, and Quality of Life in Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia

In this study we propose that caregivers who perceive stigma from their relative's illness may be more likely to be critical or intrusive (high EOI) toward their relative in an attempt to control symptomatic behaviors. We further hypothesized that high EE would partially mediate the link between stigma and quality of life (QoL) as there is some evidence that high EE is associated with poorer mental health in caregivers themselves (Safavi et al., 2015). In line with study hypotheses and using a sample of 106 dementia caregivers, we found that greater caregiver stigma was associated with both high EE (for criticism and EOI) and with poorer QoL. Mediational analyses further confirmed that high EE accounts for much of the association between stigma and poorer QoL. Study results suggest that addressing caregiver stigma in therapy could reduce levels of high EE and indirectly therefore improve caregiver QoL. Intervening directly to reduce high EE could also improve caregiver QoL. La emoción expresada (EE) es un indicador de las actitudes y los comportamientos de criticismo y sobreimplicación emocional (p. ej.: intromisión, abnegación) de un cuidador hacia una persona con una enfermedad mental. Está cada vez más demostrado que los niveles altos de estas actitudes y comportamientos de criticismo y sobreimplicación emocional (denominados conjuntamente alta EE) en los familiares están asociados con una evolución más desfavorable de la enfermedad en el caso de las personas co...
Source: Family Process - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research