Mental Health Problems among Caregivers of Individuals with ADHD and Dementia: A Quantitative Comparative Study

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the associations among depression, anxiety, and stress and compare these psychological outcomes between caregivers of individuals with ADHD and dementia. A quantitative, comparative cross-sectional correlational design was employed. The sample consisted of 192 caregivers, including 95 caregivers of individuals with ADHD and 97 caregivers of individuals with dementia. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Pearson correlation analysis and independent-samples t tests were used to examine associations among the study variables and differences between the caregiver groups. Among caregivers of individuals with ADHD, depression was positively associated with anxiety (r = .21, p < .05) and stress (r = .25, p < .01), while anxiety was strongly associated with stress (r = .96, p < .001). Similar positive associations were observed among caregivers of individuals with dementia, with depression associated with anxiety (r = .24, p < .01) and stress (r = .26, p < .01), and anxiety strongly associated with stress (r = .98, p < .001). However, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in depression (p = .08), anxiety (p = .79), or stress (p = .72). Depression, anxiety, and stress were positively associated in both caregiver groups. The findings suggest comparable levels of these psychological difficulties among caregivers of individuals with ADHD and dementia. Psychological support and caregiver-focused interventions may help address their emotional needs.