Abstract

Introduction: An informal caregiver's physical burden and the emotional stresses experienced over the course of the person's illness can lead to depressive symptoms. However, the extent to which this association is buffered or magnified by spirituality and specific coping strategies in this Latin region is poorly documented. Objective: To assess the interactive effects of spirituality, caregiver burden (stress load), and coping responses on depressive symptoms among those caring for a person with terminal illness in Loja, Ecuador. Methods: The study employed a nonprobability snowball sampling technique with a sample of 33 informal caregivers in a quantitative, descriptive-correlational, nonexperimental, cross-sectional design. The participants completed a sociodemographic form, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Parsian and Dunning Spirituality Questionnaire, the Zarit Burden Interview, and the Brief COPE. Results: Minimal depression (82%); high spirituality (87.9%); no burden (64%); active coping, acceptance, religion, and emotional support were the most commonly reported coping strategies. Caregiver burden, venting, behavioral disengagement, denial, and self-blame were significant factors in the multiple regression model, which accounted for 89.8% of the variance in depressive symptoms (R = .947; R² = .898; F[16, 16] = 8.761; p < .001). Conclusion: Depressive symptoms among informal caregivers most often reflect a pattern of perceived stress load and coping styles rather than a single factor. Spirituality was also very common, but it independently predicted depressive symptoms after the others were controlled. Findings support programs that provide psychosocial support by teaching coping skills and promoting early detection of burden, and advocate further research on incorporating physiological stress biomarkers.