ปัจจัยทำนายความสามารถในการดูแลของผู้ดูแลผู้สูงอายุที่เป็นโรคซึมเศร้า

Abstract

This predictive research aimed to study factors predicting caregivers' capabilities in caring for older persons with major depressive disorder (MDD). The sample conprised 123 caregivers of older persons with MDD who received treatment at two psychiatric hospitals in southern Thailand. The research instruments consisted of 6 parts: 1) Demographic data of caregivers, 2) Demographic data of persons with MDD, 3) The Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), 4) Perceptions on severity of disease questionnaire, 5) Internal locus of health control questionnaire, 6) Caregivers' capabilities in caring for older persons with MDD questionnaire. The content validity of all parts was verified by three experts. The reliability of parts 3, 5, and 6 were tested using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, yielding values of .80, .85 and .93 respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic. The predictability of the selected factors was analysed using multiple linear regression. The results showed that caregivers' capabilities in caring for older persons with MDD was at a moderate level (M = 3.58, SD = 0.66). Predictive factors could explain 22.7 percent (R = .227, p < .01). The factor that significantly predicted capabilities was internal locus of health control (B = .474, p < .01). The results of this study could be used as basic information to develop nursing care to improve caregivers' capabilities in caring for older persons with MDD.