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Objectives: Ambivalent feelings in dementia family caregivers have been found to be related to caregivers´ stress associated with the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD-related stress), and depressive symptoms. Ambivalent feelings may also affect caregivers´ perceived quality of the relationship with the person living with dementia (PLwD), but this variable has been scarcely studied. This study analyzes the role of ambivalent feelings in the association between caregivers' BPSD-related stress, perceived quality of the relationship with the PLwD, and depressive symptomatology., Methods: A theoretical model was developed and tested in a sample of 390 family caregivers., Results: The obtained tested model had an excellent fit to the data, explaining 24% of the variance of depressive symptomatology. A significant association was found between caregivers' BPSD-related stress, ambivalent feelings, and depressive symptomatology. Also, an indirect effect in the association between ambivalent feelings and depressive symptomatology was found through the perceived quality of the relationship., Conclusions: Ambivalent feelings in dementia family caregivers are associated with caregivers' BPSD-related stress, perception of a lower relationship quality, and higher depressive symptomatology., Clinical Implications: Targeting caregivers' ambivalent feelings and the quality of the relationship in interventions for dementia family caregivers may decrease their distress.

Objectives : Family caregivers of people with dementia often report feelings of guilt. However, the number of studies analyzing guilt and the factors associated with its appearance are scarce. The aim of this study is to explore the subjective experience of guilt in the family care of people with dementia. Methods : A qualitative analysis of the narratives of 13 family caregivers of people with dementia about their feelings of guilt was done. Results : Seven categories for understanding guilt in caregiving were obtained: guilt derived from actions themselves; guilt derived from one's limitations; guilt for feeling negative emotions; guilt associated with the change in the relationship with the person cared for; guilt for neglecting other areas; guilt induced by the person cared for, and guilt induced by others. The results showed the existence of cases in which guilt is absent by distress-avoiding processes. Conclusions : Guilt is a relevant variable in understanding caregiver distress, and its analysis is necessary for therapeutic work in the field of care. Clinical implications : Psychological interventions aimed at family caregivers should include specific techniques in order to address guilt feelings.

Objectives: A pilot randomized controlled trial study was conducted for testing the efficacy of a novel Guilt Focused Intervention (GFI), that was compared with a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI) for caregivers of people with dementia with high levels of guilt and distress., Methods: Participants were 42 caregivers who were randomized assigned to the intervention conditions., Results: Participants in the GFI showed significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and guilt at posttreatment and follow-up. Participants in the CBI presented reductions in anxiety and guilt at posttreatment and follow-up. Clinically significant change for guilt was found in 62.5% in the GFI and 9.09% in the CBI group at posttreatment. At follow-up, 58.33% in GFI and 12.5% in the CBI group were recovered., Conclusions: The preliminary results of this pilot study suggest that caregivers with significant levels of guilt and distress might benefit from an intervention specifically designed to target guilt feelings., Clinical Implications: A novel and initial intervention approach specifically designed for targeting caregivers' feelings of guilt might have the potential to reduce caregiver's emotional distress.

Objectives: To analyze caregivers' perceived impact of the pandemic in their mental health and the well-being of the care-recipients., Methods: Caregivers (N = 88) were asked if they had COVID-19 and about their perceptions of change of care-recipients' health conditions as well as whether their own mental health, conflicts with care-recipients and other relatives, thoughts of giving up caregiving, and feelings of coping well with the situation., Results: A large percentage of caregivers perceived a worsening of care-recipients' symptoms and of their own negative emotions, an increase in the number of conflicts and thoughts of needing to give up caregiving. Having had COVID-19 and reporting higher levels of distress as well as giving up caregiving were related to perceived worsening in care-recipients well-being. Perceived increases were mainly reported by younger caregivers, those who perceived to have not coped well, and those reporting an increase in conflicts. Some caregivers perceived an increase in positive emotions., Conclusions: The pandemic has a negative impact on caregivers' perceptions about the course of their own emotions and care-recipients' well-being., Clinical Implications: Interventions are needed to train caregivers in strategies to cope with the sources of stress caused by the pandemic and to promote social support.

Objective : Dementia caregiving has been described as a chronically stressful situation with adverse cardiovascular effects. Psychological resources such as mindfulness may reduce the impact of stress on caregivers' cardiovascular health. The objective of this study was to analyze the moderating effect of trait mindfulness on the relationship between frequency of disruptive behaviors of the care recipient and blood pressure (BP) in dementia caregivers. Method : Participants were 110 dementia family caregivers. Two hierarchical regressions (for systolic and diastolic BP) were conducted to analyze whether mindfulness moderates the relationship between disruptive behaviors and BP after controlling for known predictors of cardiovascular outcomes. Results : A significant moderator effect of mindfulness was found between the frequency of disruptive behaviors and diastolic BP ( β  = -.195, p < .05). Among those caregivers reporting low levels of mindfulness, the relationship between frequency of disruptive behaviors and diastolic BP was relatively stronger than among those reporting high mindfulness levels. Conclusions : The results suggest that a high level of trait mindfulness may have protective effect on BP when caregivers face high levels of stress. Clinical Implications : Mindfulness seems to be an important variable with potential for buffering the effects of caregiving stressors on caregivers' blood pressure.

Objectives: Although research shows that nursing home staff experience significant levels of stress and burnout, studies analyzing the relationship of psychosocial variables on their feelings of anxiety are scarce. This study aims to analyze the relationship between psychosocial variables and levels of anxiety among staff., Method: Participants were 101 nursing home professionals. In addition to anxiety, socio-demographic variables, depersonalization, burden, relationship with families of the residents, and guilt about the care offered to the residents were assessed. A hierarchical regression analysis was carried out to analyze the contribution of the assessed variables to staff anxiety levels., Results: The obtained model explained 57% of the variance in anxious symptomatology. Guilt about the care offered and poor quality of the relationship with residents' family were associated with anxiety. Further, working at nursing homes where the staff report higher levels of anxiety symptoms, the presence of depersonalization and burden were also associated with anxiety., Conclusion: The findings suggest that in addition to work-related variables (burden and burnout), problems with family members and guilt about the care offered are relevant variables for understanding staff's anxious symptomatology., Clinical Implications: Interventions that address issues of guilt about the quality of care, and problematic relationships with family members of residents, may have potential to reduce staff anxiety and promote their well-being.