Duelo anticipado en familiares de personas con demencia. Variables psicosociales asociadas y su impacto sobre la salud del cuidador. Una revisión de literatura / Anticipatory grief in family caregivers of persons with dementia. Psychosocial correlates and impact on caregiver's health: A literature review

Introducción Cuidar de un familiar con demencia puede suponer consecuencias negativas en el bienestar del cuidador. Uno de los procesos que se pueden vivenciar es el duelo anticipado, que se define como los sentimientos de dolor y pérdida que aparecen en el cuidador previamente al fallecimiento de la persona cuidada. Objetivos La revisión tuvo como objetivos conceptualizar el duelo anticipado en esta población, estudiar las variables psicosociales relacionadas, y conocer las repercusiones para la salud del cuidador. Método Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática siguiendo las directrices PRISMA en las bases de datos ProQuest, PubMed, Web of Science (WOS) y Scopus, incluyendo los estudios publicados en los últimos 10 años (2013-2023). Resultados Se obtuvo un total de 160 artículos, seleccionándose 15 finalmente. Se observa que el duelo anticipado se define como un proceso ambiguo al aparecer antes de la muerte del familiar enfermo. Ser cuidadora mujer, cónyuge del familiar con demencia, tener una relación más cercana con él y/o tener una importante responsabilidad en el cuidado se asocian a una mayor probabilidad de experimentar duelo anticipado. Respecto a la persona cuidada, si esta se encuentra en una fase severa de la enfermedad, es más joven y/o presenta comportamientos problemáticos, también se observa un mayor duelo anticipado en el cuidador. El duelo anticipado tiene un impacto significativo en la salud física, psicológica y social de los cuidadores, asociándose con una mayor sobrecarga, sintomatología depresiva y aislamiento social. Conclusiones El duelo anticipado resulta un concepto relevante en el contexto de las demencias, siendo necesario incluirlo en programas de intervención para esta población (AU)

Introduction Taking care of a relative with dementia may be linked to negative consequences for the caregiver. One of the processes that can be experienced is anticipatory grief, that is defined as the feelings of pain and loss that appear in the caregiver before the death of the person cared for. Objectives The review aimed to conceptualize anticipatory grief in this population, to study the related psychosocial variables, and to know the repercussions for the health of the caregiver. Method A systematic search was made under the directives of PRISMA statement in the ProQuest, PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), and Scopus databases, including studies published in the last 10 years (2013–2023). Results A total of 160 articles were obtained, 15 being finally selected. It is observed that anticipatory grief is defined as an ambiguous process since it appeared before the death of the sick family member. Being a female caregiver, spouse of a family member with dementia, having a closer relationship with him and/or having an important responsibility in care, are associated with a greater chance of experiencing anticipatory grief. In relation to the person cared for, if he or she is in a severe phase of the disease, is younger, and/or presents problematic behaviours, there is also greater anticipatory grief in the family caregiver. Anticipatory grief has a significant impact on caregivers’ physical, psychological, and social health, being associated with greater burden, depressive symptomatology, and social isolation. Conclusions Anticipatory grief turns out to be a relevant concept in the context of dementia, being necessary to include it in intervention programs for this population (AU)

[Anticipatory grief in family caregivers of persons with dementia. Psychosocial correlates and impact on caregiver's health: A literature review]. / Duelo anticipado en familiares de personas con demencia. Variables psicosociales asociadas y su impacto sobre la salud del cuidador. Una revisión de literatura.

INTRODUCTION: Taking care of a relative with dementia may be linked to negative consequences for the caregiver. One of the processes that can be experienced is anticipatory grief, that is defined as the feelings of pain and loss that appear in the caregiver before the death of the person cared for. OBJECTIVES: The review aimed to conceptualize anticipatory grief in this population, to study the related psychosocial variables, and to know the repercussions for the health of the caregiver. METHOD: A systematic search was made under the directives of PRISMA statement in the ProQuest, PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), and Scopus databases, including studies published in the last 10 years (2013-2023). RESULTS: A total of 160 articles were obtained, 15 being finally selected. It is observed that anticipatory grief is defined as an ambiguous process since it appeared before the death of the sick family member. Being a female caregiver, spouse of a family member with dementia, having a closer relationship with him and/or having an important responsibility in care, are associated with a greater chance of experiencing anticipatory grief. In relation to the person cared for, if he or she is in a severe phase of the disease, is younger, and/or presents problematic behaviours, there is also greater anticipatory grief in the family caregiver. Anticipatory grief has a significant impact on caregivers' physical, psychological, and social health, being associated with greater burden, depressive symptomatology, and social isolation. CONCLUSIONS: Anticipatory grief turns out to be a relevant concept in the context of dementia, being necessary to include it in intervention programs for this population.