Correlates of self-perceptions of aging in dementia caregivers: findings from the German Aging Survey

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the associations between dementia caregivers' self-perceptions of aging (SPAs) and demographic, care related, and stress variables. Methods: Cross-sectional (2021) data collected online and from the German Aging Study comprising 190 dementia caregivers (Mean age= 65.69 years; SD= 10.11) were used. Predictive variables were age, sex, education, marital status, type of district of residence, caregiving hours per week, relationship to the person with dementia, care burden, and the Relative Stress Scale. Outcome variables were one item assessing felt age, the Lawton's Attitudes toward Own Aging Scale, and the age-related cognitions scales. Univariable, multivariable, and multivariate linear regression models were used. Results: Multivariable and multivariate linear regression models showed that those dementia caregivers who are older, have lower education, experience higher levels of caregiving-related burden and stress, and live in urban compared to rural districts, experience more negative SPAs compared to dementia caregivers without these characteristics. Associations were of moderate size for stress and of small size for the remaining variables. Conclusion: The results suggest that key characteristics in dementia caregivers are associated with more negative SPAs. Given that more negative SPAs are associated with poorer health outcomes, these individuals may benefit the most from interventions promoting positive SPAs.