Experiential Avoidance, Acceptance, and Depression in Dementia Family Caregivers

Adam P. Spira PhD Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

Sherry A. Beaudreau PhD Older Adult and Family Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Sierra Pacific Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC)

Daniel Jimenez MA Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Older Adult and Family Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, USA

Krystal Kierod MA Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

Marty M. Cusing MA Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Older Adult and Family Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, USA

Heather L. Gray BA Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Older Adult and Family Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, USA

Dolores Gallagher-Thompson PhD, ABPP Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Older Adult and Family Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, USA

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Abstract

Dementia caregivers commonly experience elevated levels of stress, and are at increased risk for psychological disorders. Recent research has implicated experiential avoidance and related processes in the development and maintenance of psychopathology, but no published studies have investigated the relation between experiential avoidance and caregiver depression. The present study examined this relationship in a sample of 28 female dementia family caregivers who completed a series of questionnaires, including measures of experiential avoidance and depression, as part of the pre-treatment protocol of a larger project. Results indicated a robust correlation between the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire and depression. Experiential avoidance was associated with depression even after accounting for caregivers' negative affect and care recipients' behavior problems. Implications of findings for the treatment of caregiver distress are discussed.

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