Discrete Emotions and Depressive Symptoms in Family Dementia Caregivers

Distress and shame were associated with greater depression for both adult-children and spouses. Interventions that decrease distress and shame (e.g., addressing stigma, positively reappraising caregiving demands) may reduce depression across caregiving relationships. Lower depression was associated with greater pride in adult-children and greater enthusiasm in spouses, suggesting that the specific positive emotions that buffer against depression may differ depending on relationship type.