Coping Strategies Utilized by Middle-Aged and Older Latino Caregivers of Loved Ones with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia

We aimed to explore the coping strategies utilized by Latino caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia (ADRD). We conducted 16 semi-structured interviews with Latinos family caregivers. The interviews explored the caregivers' experiences utilizing coping strategies. Coping strategies were identified based on a direct content analysis of the interviews. Participants were 50 to 75 years old, majority female, and from Mexico. The most common coping strategies adopted were: rationalization, social interactions, physical activity, and leisure activities. Other strategies used included avoidance, keeping busy, self-care, and spirituality or faith. Strategies such as using social interactions and spirituality and faith may be rooted in Latino cultural values such as familismo and fatalismo. The possible origin from cultural values might make some of the coping strategies more prevalent or effective in Latinos. Effective interventions aiming to reduce stress in Latino caregivers should prioritize culturally relevant problem-focused coping strategies.