Sleep, caregiver burden, and life satisfaction in Parkinson’s disease caregivers: a multinational investigation

Abstract

Purpose

The primary aim of this study was to examine the pattern of associations among PD patient and caregiver sleep problems, caregiver burden, and caregiver life satisfaction. A secondary aim was to assess whether the pattern of associations differed between Mexican and U.S. caregivers.

Materials and methods

Analyses were performed on data obtained from 253 caregivers (M age = 59.92). A composite score was produced for caregiver and patient sleep problems. The Zarit Burden Interview and Satisfaction with Life Scale measured caregiver burden and life satisfaction, respectively. A structural equation model with an invariance design was developed to examine and compare the pattern of associations.

Results

The model was generally invariant across U.S. and Mexican caregivers. Three significant indirect effects were found: caregiver sleep problems were negatively associated with life satisfaction via caregiver burden (p = 0.003); PD patient sleep problems were positively related to caregiver burden via caregiver sleep problems (p = 0.005) and life satisfaction via caregiver burden and caregiver sleep problems (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

PD patient sleep problems were associated with caregiver sleep problems, leading to increased burden in caregivers and poorer life satisfaction. The findings highlight a potential opportunity for empirically supported sleep interventions.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that impacts patient and caregiver quality of life.

• Patient sleep problems contribute to greater caregiver burden, sleep problems, and reduced life satisfaction.

• The findings suggest patient and caregiver sleep may be a worthwhile target for intervention in order to reduce risk of caregiver burden and improve life satisfaction.

Keywords:

• Aging; burden; caregiving; life satisfaction; Parkinson’s disease; sleep

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported in part by the National Institute on Aging (1K23AG049955 to J. M. D.).