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Background: Dementia, which affects an estimated 35 million individuals worldwide, is now recognised as a growing health and economic problem. With insufficient levels of health and welfare services in many nations, there exists a reliance on family caregivers to provide care for individuals with dementia (IWDs). However, the potential negative psychological and physical consequences of the caregiving role cannot be ignored. A growing literature base has improved the theoretical understanding of mental health difficulties (e.g. depression, burden) in caregivers. However, significant gaps in the research remain. These include understanding outcomes such as caregiver anxiety and examining the role of potentially crucial variables, such as levels of suffering and empathy. Objectives: An empirical study was conducted in order to add to the literature regarding depression and anxiety in spousal caregivers of IWDs. This research conducted exploratory analyses of the relationships between the suffering of IWDs, IWDs' depression and anxiety, caregivers' levels of empathy, caregiver satisfaction and caregiver anxiety and depression. Caregivers' anxiety and depression is considered in the context of research on co-morbidity. In addition, the levels of discrepancy between ratings of suffering, whereby caregivers frequently report IWDs to be suffering more than IWDs self-report, were also examined. A systematic review was conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for anxiety in informal caregivers of IWDs. Method: For the empirical study, a cross-sectional survey methodology was employed where dyads of caregivers and IWDs completed questionnaires during face-to-face interviews. Primary variables examined were the suffering of IWDs, IWDs' levels of depression and anxiety, and caregivers' levels of empathy, satisfaction, depression and anxiety. The suffering of IWDs was rated both by the IWDs (self-reported suffering) and the caregivers (perceived suffering). Descriptive statistics and exploratory correlational analyses were used to address a number of exploratory research questions regarding the relationships between the investigated variables. For the systematic review, five scientific databases were searched for relevant randomised controlled trials (RCT). Study quality was assessed according to standardised, recommended criteria and a qualitative synthesis of the evidence, including effect sizes, is described. Results Results from the empirical study suggest high levels of clinical anxiety in the caregiver population. In the current sample, there was a high prevalence rate of anxiety (52.5%) and a lower rate of depression (15.0%). However, there were no statistically significant correlates for caregiver anxiety and depression found. Findings are discussed in the context of previous research, the demographics of the current sample and difficulties with recruitment. For the systematic review, twenty studies with substantially different methodological quality were included. Anxiety was rarely identified as the primary outcome measure. However, the evidence suggests that Cognitive Behavioural skills training and psycho-educational interventions can be effective in treating caregiver anxiety. Some preliminary evidence for interventions underpinned by Mindfulness-based strategies was also found. Conclusions: The empirical study found that a large proportion of Scottish spousal caregivers experience clinical levels of anxiety. This suggests that caregiver anxiety must be a key priority for both clinicians and researchers alike. In addition, further research examining these understudied variables and using dyadic methods remains crucial to increasing understanding into caregivers' outcomes. The systematic review demonstrated that research regarding interventions for anxiety in caregivers is growing and there is now a greater emphasis on the underlying theoretical models of delivered interventions. There is also growing evidence that interventions with clear theoretical basis may be more likely to be effective. However, both the empirical study and the systematic review highlight further questions that remain to be addressed in the literature. Further research continues to be necessary in this area to ensure that services are appropriately meeting the needs of both caregivers and IWDs.

Thesis (M. Med. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-76).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-84).

Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-76). Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2010. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 140 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-80).

The purpose of the current study was to observe how music affects the mood of those who suffer from anxiety and depression and those who do not. While previous research has examined this many of the previous studies have induced either physical pain or mood in participants in order to measure the impact of music. The current study, however, intends to examine how music affects mood without attempting to induce mood in participants. Six-hundred and seventy college students were given a questionnaire containing an anxiety questionnaire, depression scale, demographic questionnaire, and music listening questionnaire. Intercorrelations, ANOVAS, as well as linear regressions were performed on the data and results for the study were significant in that music was found to impact participant's anxiety and depression. Results of the current study indicate that participants' preference for alternative music and soundtracks/showtunes impacted their level of depression and anxiety.

Objective(s). An increasing demand exists for psychological interventions to increase recovery from depression and anxiety in people with long-term physical health conditions (LTCs). Guided self-help (GSH) may meet this need, however, there is limited evidence of GSH’s appropriateness for people with LTCs. Design. A mixed-methods study using qualitative interviews with people with stroke and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and a quantitative survey of professionals who support guided self-help, explored opinions about whether self-help is appropriate, and whether suggested adaptations varied across LTCs. Results. Opinions varied about the appropriateness of standard self-help and adaptations required. Illness beliefs may help explain differences between the two LTCs and individual interviewees. The majority of professionals surveyed felt competent supporting people with LTCs, and reported having access to appropriate self-help material. Conclusions. Recommendations for improving the appropriateness of contents of guided self-help for people with LTCs are provided. Supporting professionals need relevant knowledge and skills to integrate information about the LTC into the intervention, and offer flexible, personalised delivery to support participation.