TY - JOUR
T1 - Modeling Cortisol Daily Rhythms of Family Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia
T2 - Daily Stressors and Adult Day Services Use
AU - Liu, Yin
AU - Almeida, David M.
AU - Rovine, Michael J.
AU - Zarit, Steven H.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institute of Health (grant number RO1 AG031758, “Daily Stress and Health of Family Caregivers”).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 The Author(s).
PY - 2018/3/2
Y1 - 2018/3/2
N2 - Objectives The study examined the typical diurnal cortisol trajectory and its differential associations with an intervention, the adult day services (ADS) use, among a sample of family caregivers who experienced high levels of daily stress. Method On hundred and sixty-five caregivers of individuals with dementia completed an 8-day diary on daily stressors, positive events, sleep quality, and ADS use. The caregivers also provided five saliva samples on each diary day. Daily cortisol trajectories were modeled as a function of time elapsed since awakening, and three spline growth curve models were fit to the cortisol data. Based on the best-fitting linear spline model, the effect of daily ADS use was examined at both daily and person levels. Covariates included daily experiences and other caregiving characteristics. Results On ADS days, caregivers had a steeper cortisol awakening response (CAR) slope and a steeper morning decline. ADS use remained significant after controlling for covariates at both daily and person levels. Discussion The findings suggested potential biophysiological benefits of daily ADS use for a sample that was under chronic stress and high levels of daily stress.
AB - Objectives The study examined the typical diurnal cortisol trajectory and its differential associations with an intervention, the adult day services (ADS) use, among a sample of family caregivers who experienced high levels of daily stress. Method On hundred and sixty-five caregivers of individuals with dementia completed an 8-day diary on daily stressors, positive events, sleep quality, and ADS use. The caregivers also provided five saliva samples on each diary day. Daily cortisol trajectories were modeled as a function of time elapsed since awakening, and three spline growth curve models were fit to the cortisol data. Based on the best-fitting linear spline model, the effect of daily ADS use was examined at both daily and person levels. Covariates included daily experiences and other caregiving characteristics. Results On ADS days, caregivers had a steeper cortisol awakening response (CAR) slope and a steeper morning decline. ADS use remained significant after controlling for covariates at both daily and person levels. Discussion The findings suggested potential biophysiological benefits of daily ADS use for a sample that was under chronic stress and high levels of daily stress.
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U2 - 10.1093/geronb/gbw140
DO - 10.1093/geronb/gbw140
M3 - Article
C2 - 27738082
AN - SCOPUS:85043246702
SN - 1079-5014
VL - 73
SP - 457
EP - 467
JO - Journals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
JF - Journals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
IS - 3
ER -