Family anxiety phenomenon in relatives of patients with dementia: presence, structure, interconnection with the state of the mental health

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to study the phenomenon of family anxiety of patients with dementia (as the resulting functioning of the family system), and its interconnection with their mental state, to determine, subsequently, targets of therapeutic and rehabilitation measures for this contingent. 153 relatives (children) who lived and/or care for patients with dementia were examinated. A comprehensive examination included clinical-psychopathological and psychodiagnostic research. Clinical and psychopathological research was supplemented by the results of the use of the scale of the psychopathological symptomatology of Derogatis L. SCL-90-R, psychodiagnostic was carried out using the method of "analysis of family anxiety" by Edemil­lery E., Justitskis V. As a result of the study and the study of patients with detention. The severity of manifestations of family anxiety depends on the state of the mental sphere, namely, the presence and intensity of clinical and psychopathological symptoms of adaptation disorders. Relatives with a lack of signs of mental disorders (16.9 %) demonstrated low levels of family anxiety and its components. In most persons of the surveyed group, the signs of family guilt, family anxiety and family tension were absent. Relatives of patients with dementia, with states of maladaptation that correspond to Z-codes ICD-10 (54.9 %), have increased rates of family anxiety and its components. Most of the surveyed groups showed signs of family guilt, family anxiety and family tension. The worst indicators of family anxiety were characterized by relatives of patients with dementia, who were diagnosed with adaptation disorders (28.1 %). Family anxiety in this group was high, and the vast majority of the surveyed revealed pronounced signs of family guilt, family anxiety and family tension. The identified patterns should be considered for planning medical and rehabilitation measures for relatives of dementia patients.

Keywords: mental maladaptation, adaptation disorders, anxiety, depression, family.