Financial strain and depressive symptoms among parent‐child dyads coping with dementia, depression, or delirium

Abstract INTRODUCTION Two studies examined associations between financial strain and depressive symptoms among dyads of parents living with dementia, depression, or recent delirium and one adult child. METHODS Study 1 included 147 parent–child dyads in which the parent had early‐stage cognitive impairment. Study 2 included 115 parent–child dyads coping with depression, dementia, or recent delirium. In both studies, dyad members completed self‐report measures of depressive symptoms and financial strain. Data analyses were cross‐sectional and used the Actor Partner Interdependence Model. RESULTS Study 1 showed that each person's financial strain was associated with their own greater depressive symptoms. Study 2 showed that financial strain was associated with greater depressive symptoms for individuals and interpersonally. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Greater attention should be paid to ensuring that financial security is accounted for among parent–child dyads coping with dementia, depression, or recent delirium when designing behavioral interventions to prevent or alleviate depressive symptoms.