To examine the association between a multi-item measure of religiousness and major depressive disorder (MDD) in bereaved family caregivers of patients with cancer.
Design
A prospective longitudinal study of primary caregivers of consecutive patients (n=175) with cancer enrolled in the largest hospice in Connecticut.
Results
Caregivers with a high religiousness summary score were significantly less likely to have MDD at the 13–month follow-up interview (OR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.68–0.91). This finding remained significant (OR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.59–0.91) after adjustment for caregiver MDD at baseline, caregiver age, caregiver burden, and number of activities restricted due to caregiving roles.
Conclusions
Family caregivers who reported greater religiousness at baseline had lower rates of depression in the 13–month follow up after their loss. Collaboration with religious support groups or community groups during bereavement could offer an effective mechanism for speeding the process of recovery for some caregivers.
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