Stigma, Social Anxiety, Depression, and Caregiver Burden Among Caregivers of People with Dementia

Abstract

Background: Dementia places substantial psychological, social, and practical demands on family caregivers. In addition to caregiving burden, caregivers may experience stigma, social anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Although burden and depression have been widely examined, fewer studies have considered these psychosocial variables together.

Objective: This study examined relationships among dementia-related stigma, social anxiety, depression, and caregiver burden among primary caregivers of people with dementia. Gender differences were also assessed, and stigma, social anxiety, and depression were examined as predictors of caregiver burden.

Method: A cross-sectional correlational design was used with 150 primary caregivers, including 75 males and 75 females. Participants completed measures of family stigma, social anxiety, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burden. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t tests, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression were conducted.

Results: Female caregivers reported significantly higher stigma, social anxiety, depression, and caregiver burden than males. Stigma was positively associated with social anxiety (r = .61), depression (r = .57), and caregiver burden (r = .49). Social anxiety was associated with depression (r = .68) and caregiver burden (r = .55). Depression showed the strongest association with burden (r = .71). The regression model was significant, F(3, 146) = 67.01, p < .001, explaining approximately 58% of the variance in caregiver burden. Depression was the strongest predictor.

Conclusion: Stigma, social anxiety, depression, and caregiver burden are closely related among dementia caregivers. Caregiver assessment and intervention should address psychological distress, stigma, social functioning, and burden alongside the care needs of people with dementia.