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Associations Between Gender, Resiliency Factors, and Anxiety in Neuro-ICU Caregivers: a Prospective Study

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Abstract

Background

Informal caregivers of patients admitted to the neuroscience intensive care unit (Neuro-ICU) are at risk for developing chronic anxiety. Resiliency factors may reduce risk, yet their differential effects for female and male caregivers have not been studied in this population. We aim to examine interactions between gender and baseline resiliency factors and anxiety at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.

Method

Prospectively studied caregivers (N = 96) of patients admitted to the Neuro-ICU completed baseline sociodemographics and resiliency measures (coping, mindfulness, self-efficacy, intimate care, and caregiver preparedness), and anxiety severity at baseline (hospitalization), 3 months, and 6 months.

Results

Baseline anxiety predicted future anxiety (3 and 6 months). Caregivers who reported high (versus low) baseline coping, mindfulness, self-efficacy, and preparedness for caregiving reported lower baseline anxiety (ps ≤ 0.012). An interaction between caregiver gender and baseline mindfulness was seen at 3 months (p = 0.021), with high mindfulness males reporting lower anxiety than high mindfulness females, and low mindfulness males reporting higher anxiety than low mindfulness females.

Conclusion

Results emphasize the protective role of resilience in the trajectory of anxiety among informal caregivers. Findings emphasize the need to rapidly deploy skills-based treatment to Neuro-ICU caregivers to prevent future development and maintenance of anxiety, specifically emphasizing mindfulness in male caregivers.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Tara Tehan, Danielle Salgueiro, and all of the nursing and medical staff in the Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Funding

This study was funded by the American Heart Association [grant 16GRNT31300008 awarded to Ana-Maria Vranceanu; Founders Affiliate Undergraduate Student Fellowship awarded to Ilyssa Silverman], the National Institute of Nursing Research [grant 1R21NR017979], and the Henry and Allison McCance Center for Brain Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Integrated Brain Health Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, 1st Floor, Suite 100, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Ethan G. Lester, Ilyssa H. Silverman, Melissa V. Gates, Ann Lin & Ana-Maria Vranceanu

  2. Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Ethan G. Lester & Ana-Maria Vranceanu

  3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Ethan G. Lester & Ana-Maria Vranceanu

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  1. Ethan G. Lester
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  2. Ilyssa H. Silverman
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  3. Melissa V. Gates
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  4. Ann Lin
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  5. Ana-Maria Vranceanu
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Correspondence to Ana-Maria Vranceanu.

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Lester, E.G., Silverman, I.H., Gates, M.V. et al. Associations Between Gender, Resiliency Factors, and Anxiety in Neuro-ICU Caregivers: a Prospective Study. Int.J. Behav. Med. 27, 677–686 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-020-09907-3

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