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Social Psychiatry, Vol. 54 No. 1, 2026.

Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.3

Analysis of Depression Among Informal Caregivers of Persons With Huntington’s Disease

Lucija Ribić ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Anja Ritz orcid id orcid.org/0009-0008-5809-3349 ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia *
Srđana Telarović ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

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Abstract

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive triad of motor,
cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. Although the clinical features of patients are well documented, the psychological
impact on their everyday informal caregivers remains understudied, especially in Croatia. The aim of this study was to examine the level of depression among informal caregivers of people with HD compared to that in the general population.
A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 28 participants (N = 14 informal caregivers; N = 14 controls).
Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The results revealed a statistically significant difference in depression levels between the groups. On average, informal caregivers achieved a score indicating moderate to severe depression, while the control group showed minimal levels. The analysis showed that the age of the participants was not significantly associated with depression levels in either group. This study’s findings indicate that informal caregivers in Croatia experience a significant psychological burden stemming from the nature of caregiving.
The results highlight the urgent need for a holistic approach that includes systematic psychological support for informal
caregivers to improve the quality of life of the entire family.

Keywords

Depression; Huntington’s Disease; Caregivers; Caregiver Burden

Hrčak ID:

350307

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/350307

Publication date:

27.3.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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