Predictors of Recovery From Major Depression Among Geriatric Psychiatry Inpatients: The Importance of Caregivers' Beliefs

Abstract

Caregiver support is an important factor in recovery from depression among older patients. We examined whether caregivers' perceptions regarding patients' ability to control depressive symptoms were related to depression recovery. Depression treatment, demographics, number of depressive symptoms, and health were controlled. The sample comprised 51 geriatric psychiatry inpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for major depression and who had a primary caregiver. Depression was assessed at both admission and discharge. Caregivers were asked to indicate whether they believed their patient-relatives could control their depressive symptoms. At discharge, 33 patients (64.7%) were “remitted” and 18 (35.3%) were “nonremitted.” Multivariate analyses indicated that receiving electroconvulsive treatment, having fewer depressive symptoms caregivers perceived to be within patient control, and being female predicted depression remission at discharge. This study highlights the important relationship between family dynamics and course of depression.