치매의 행동심리증상이 요양시설 간호제공자의 부담감에 미치는 영향

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) on the burden of caregivers in nursing homes (NHs). Methods: The sample consisted of 145 dyads of persons with dementia (PWDs) (mean age=83.34±7.11; women 80.69%) and their caregivers (mean age=50.69±8.97; women 97.93%) conveniently selected from six NHs (≥50 beds). PWDs were evaluated using the Korean Mini-Mental Status Exam, Physical Activities of Daily Living, and Korean Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory; and their demographic information was obtained by a chart review. Caregivers were asked to complete the Professional Caregiver Burden Scale and a questionnaire asking general characteristics. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations, t-tests, ANOVAs, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that caregivers’ age (β=-.27, p= .001), PWD’s length of stay in the facility (β=-.23, p= .006) and BPSD (β=.31, p<.001) significantly predicted caregiver burden (F=4.55, p<.001; adjusted R2=.18); and that BPSD was the strongest factor, independently adding 9% to total variance explanation power of the model. Conclusion: Replication studies using large random sample are necessary to confirm the findings of this study.