Effects of Self-esteem, Optimism, and Perceived Control on Depressive Symptoms in Stroke Survivor-Spouse Dyads :

Abstract

<div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S1"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d8374509e139">Background</h5> <p id="P1">Depressive symptoms are common in stroke survivors and their family caregivers. Given the interdependent relationship between the members of dyads in post-stroke management, improving depressive symptoms in dyads may depend on their partner's characteristics. Self-esteem, optimism, and perceived control, all known to be associated with depressive symptoms in an individual, may also contribute to their partner's depressive symptoms. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S2"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d8374509e144">Purpose</h5> <p id="P2">The purpose of this study was to examine actor and partner effects of self-esteem, optimism, and perceived control on depression in the stroke survivors and their spousal caregivers. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S3"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d8374509e149">Methods</h5> <p id="P3">A total of 112 ischemic stroke survivors (78% white, 34% female, mean age 62.5 ± 12.3) and their spouses (mean age 60.6 ±12.9) completed surveys in which depressive symptoms, self-esteem, optimism, and perceived control were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, the Revised Life Orientation Test, and the Sense of Control Scale. Multilevel modeling, actor-partner interdependence model regression was used to determine influences on depressive symptoms within the dyad. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S4"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d8374509e154">Results</h5> <p id="P4">Individuals with lower self-esteem, optimism, and perceived control had higher levels of depressive symptoms. Stroke survivors whose spouses had lower levels of self-esteem (B= −.338, <i>P</i>&lt;.001) and optimism (B= −.361, <i>P</i>&lt;.027) tended to have higher levels of depressive symptoms. Spouses whose stroke survivors had lower levels of self-esteem (B= −.047, <i>P</i>=.036) also had higher levels of depressive symptoms. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S5"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d8374509e168">Conclusion</h5> <p id="P5">We found significant partner effects of self-esteem on depression for both members and partner effect of optimism on patient's depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that further research is needed to determine if dyadic interventions may help to improve self-esteem, optimism, and depressive symptoms in both patients and their caregivers. </p> </div>