The role of attachment in the development of burden in caregivers of Alzheimer's patients

The present study investigates the influence of attachment styles on caregiver burden among primary caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), examining differences between home-based and institutional care settings. Forty primary caregivers, all adult children of patients with AD, participated in the study (mean age = 49.10 years, SD = 7.49), with women comprising 87.5% of the sample. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory–II, the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Caregiver Burden Inventory, the Attachment Style Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale–Brief Version. Results revealed significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, caregiver burden, and lower quality of life among home-based caregivers compared to those providing institutional care. However, no significant differences in attachment styles were observed between the two groups. Correlational analyses indicated significant associations between attachment dimensions and caregiver well-being, with specific attachment styles related to distinct aspects of burden, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Perceived social support moderated the relationship between attachment styles and caregiver well-being. These findings highlight the complex interplay between attachment dynamics, caregiving context, and caregiver well-being in AD care, underscoring the importance of integrating attachment theory into caregiver support interventions.