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Predictors of depression and life satisfaction among spousal caregivers in hospice: application of a stress process model
Haley WE, LaMonde LA, Han B, Burton AM, Schonwetter R.. Journal of palliative medicine, 2003-04-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Using a stress process model, risk factors (caregiving stressors, caregiver health, and negative social interactions) and protective factors (caregiving appraisals and social resources) were examined as predictors of family caregiver well-being (depression and life satisfaction). Eighty spousal caregivers of hospice patients with dementia or lung cancer completed structured interviews and self-report measures assessing components of the stress process model. Results suggest that objective measures of patient impairment or amount of care provided are not strong predictors of caregiver depression or life satisfaction. Female gender, caregiver health problems, and negative social interactions were risk factors for poorer caregiver well-being. Caregivers who subjectively appraised caregiving tasks as less stressful, who found meaning and subjective benefits from caregiving, and with more social resources had lower depression and higher life satisfaction, even after controlling for patient impairment and caregiver appraisal variables. Regression models accounted for 42% of variance in caregiver depression and 52% of variance in caregiver life satisfaction. Counseling for hospice family caregivers could utilize the stress process framework, and pay particular attention to finding meaning or subjective benefits from caregiving, and remaining active in social roles. Further research providing evidence on caregiver risk and protective factors could improve the conceptual and empirical basis for psychosocial interventions for hospice family caregivers.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Haley, W. E., LaMonde, L. A., Han, B., Burton, A. M., & Schonwetter, R. (2003). Predictors of depression and life satisfaction among spousal caregivers in hospice: application of a stress process model. Journal of palliative medicine. https://doi.org/10.1089/109662103764978461
Vancouver
Haley WE, LaMonde LA, Han B, Burton AM, Schonwetter R. Predictors of depression and life satisfaction among spousal caregivers in hospice: application of a stress process model. Journal of palliative medicine. 2003. doi:10.1089/109662103764978461. PMID: 12854938.
BibTeX
@article{haley2003-12854938,
author = {Haley, W. E. and LaMonde, L. A. and Han, B. and Burton, A. M. and Schonwetter, R.},
title = {{Predictors of depression and life satisfaction among spousal caregivers in hospice: application of a stress process model}},
journal = {Journal of palliative medicine},
year = {2003},
doi = {10.1089/109662103764978461},
pmid = {12854938},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1089/109662103764978461}
}
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Key findings
- Results suggest that objective measures of patient impairment or amount of care provided are not strong predictors of caregiver depression or life satisfaction.
Why it matters
For caregivers of hospice patients with dementia or lung cancer, the amount of care provided and the patient's impairment did not strongly predict caregiver depression or life satisfaction. Instead, caregivers who found meaning in caregiving and stayed active in social roles had lower depression and higher life satisfaction, suggesting counseling could focus on these areas.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 43/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomized / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of palliative medicine) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Journal of Palliative Medicine: journal h-index 134 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2003 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 385 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 15.4 citations a year over 25 year(s) since 2003 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 8.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 4 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 33 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Ronald S. Schonwetter: h-index 24 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Moffitt Cancer Center: institution h-index 816 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 12854938) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 43 / 100 | — |
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