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The Influence of the Quality of Filial Relationship on the Mental Health of Children Caregivers

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Abstract

With the increase in the number of older adults with any chronic disease, the number of caregivers also increases. Among the caregivers, many are children, who may have their levels of mental health reduced after they become a caregiver. Objectives: (a) verify if a positive interaction and the presence of conflicts in dyads with an adult children caregiver and an older adult care recipient are related to caregivers’ mental health problems (specifically burden and depression) and (b) verify if the presence of burden and depression in children caregiver can predict the absence of positive interaction and the presence of conflicts in the dyad. Participants: Participated of this cross-sectional study 138 caregivers, children of an older adult care-recipient, with a mean age of 51 years (SD = 11.2). Measurements: All participants answered: A Sociodemographic Questionnaire; the Brazilian Socioeconomic Classification Criteria; the Dyadic Relationship Scale; the Zarit Burden Interview; and the Beck Depression Inventory 2. For data analysis, Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression, using the enter method, were used. Results: The positive interaction between the dyad and the presence of conflicts was respectively negatively and positively correlated with the measures of burden and depression. The presence of burden was predictive of a worse interaction between the dyad and of the presence of conflicts. Also, the presence of depressive symptoms was predictive of the presence of conflicts. Conclusions: Strategies for promoting interpersonal relationships and those focused on caregiver’s mental health can be fundamental for improving the relationship between children’s caregivers and their parents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adventist University Center of São Paulo R. Pastor Hugo Gegembauer, Hortolândia, São Paulo, 265, Brazil

    Francine Nathalie Ferraresi Rodrigues Queluz

  2. Psychology Department, Federal University of São Carlos, km 235, SP-310, Rod. Washington Luís, São Carlos, Brazil

    Ligia de Santis & Camila Rafael Ferreira Campos

  3. Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande MS, Av. Tamandaré, 6000, JardimSeminário Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

    Luziane de Fatima Kirchner

Authors
  1. Francine Nathalie Ferraresi Rodrigues Queluz
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  2. Ligia de Santis
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  3. Luziane de Fatima Kirchner
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  4. Camila Rafael Ferreira Campos
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the conception and design of the research article and interpretation of the results. FNFRQ conducted data collection and analyzed the data. FNFRQ wrote the manuscript with assistance from LS, LFK, and CRFC, and all authors provided substantive edits. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francine Nathalie Ferraresi Rodrigues Queluz.

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This manuscript was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of São 

Carlos, reference numbers No. 144.507/2012.

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the objectives of our project, the procedures it entailed, and their rights as participants.

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their data anonymously, which all participants also agreed to.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Nathalie Ferraresi Rodrigues Queluz, F., de Santis, L., de Fatima Kirchner, L. et al. The Influence of the Quality of Filial Relationship on the Mental Health of Children Caregivers. Trends in Psychol. 30, 455–467 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-022-00140-3

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