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Utilizing the Senior Companion Program as a platform for a culturally informed caregiver intervention: results from a mixed methods pilot study
- Authors:
- FIELDS Noelle L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 20(1), 2021, pp.161-187.
- Publisher:
- Sage
To address the need for accessible, affordable, and sustainable Alzheimer's disease and related dementia caregiver interventions with minority populations, we developed the Senior Companion Program Plus, a three-phase pilot study that used a mixed methods experimental design. The intent was to determine if participation in a lay provider, peer-led psychoeducational intervention designed for African American Alzheimer's disease and related dementia caregivers (N = 16) improved caregiver burden and/or stress, coping skills, and social support. Focus groups with Senior Companions informed the intervention design. Quantitative results indicated that caregivers experienced improvement in their overall level of social support and well-being in meeting basic needs. Qualitative findings suggested that caregivers experienced improvement in their knowledge about the disease, experienced increased coping with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia caregiving, and reported benefits of using a lay provider model. Overall, the data suggest that the Senior Companion Program Plus is a promising intervention for African American Alzheimer's disease and related dementia caregivers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Race and ethnic group disparities in emotional distress among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Authors:
- BUI Cindy N., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 61(2), 2021, pp.262-272.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: Framed within Conservation of Resources theory, this study addressed race–ethnic differences in the relationships between emotional distress and current and expected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic stressors. Research Design and Methods: The study employed data from the Household Pulse Survey, a large national survey collecting weekly data to understand the experiences of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic (age 55 and above; N = 94,550). Emotional distress included depression and anxiety symptoms. COVID-19 stressors included current and expected income, housing, health care, and food insecurities. Results: Older persons of color reported higher rates of stressors and emotional distress than their White counterparts. In relation to current stressors, older Black persons responded with less emotional distress and older Latino persons responded with more emotional distress than older White persons. In addition, older persons of color were more likely to expect future resource losses related to COVID-19, and the association between these expectations and emotional distress varied by race–ethnic group. Discussion and Implications: The findings reflected the disproportionate negative impact of COVID-19 stressors on emotional distress among older persons of color, providing a baseline for future studies to further examine the impacts of the pandemic among diverse older adult populations. (Edited publisher abstract)
“Caring for one's own”: variation in the lived experience of African-American caregivers of elders
- Authors:
- SHERIDAN Michael J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 23(1), 2014, pp.1-19.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study provides in-depth, descriptive data on the caregiving context and indicators of caregiving stress, rewards, and resources reported by 300 African-American family caregivers of elders residing in the community. Findings revealed generally high levels of caregiving intensity in terms of types of assistance given and hours of caregiving provided. On average, participants reported moderate levels of time-dependence, developmental, and financial burden, but relatively low levels of social and physical burden and emotional and relationship distress. Caregivers also reported high levels of caregiving rewards, including meaning, purpose, and connection/attachment to the care recipient. In terms of resources, both informal and formal levels of support were generally low, while religion/spirituality emerged as an important resource for the majority of the sample. Finally, findings show higher levels of approach versus avoidant coping strategies. Although some commonalities among participants were noted in these areas, close examination of the dispersion of scores in all areas reveals a multifaceted and diverse picture of the caregiving experience, suggesting caution against oversimplification or reliance on general assumptions when providing services to African-American caregivers. This article concludes with four key implications for effective and culturally sensitive social work practice with this heterogeneous population and notes directions for future research. (Edited publisher abstract)
Elders caring for elders: the role of religious involvement and spiritual rewards on caregiver stress, resources, and health
- Author:
- SHERIDAN Michael J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work, 32(4), 2013, pp.397-421.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The current study investigates the relationships between three indicators of religious involvement and three aspects of spiritual caregiving awards and multiple measures of caregiver stress, internal and external resources, and physical and mental health among older (60+) African American caregivers of elders. Findings show that both factors are associated with the three caregiving areas, although spiritual rewards emerged as having more linkages than religious involvement. Further analysis showed significant relationships between the two independent variables of religious involvement and spiritual rewards, suggesting possible interactive effects on the caregiving experience. Implications for social work practice and research are highlighted. (Publisher abstract)
Caregiving and employment: the impact of workplace characteristics on role strain
- Authors:
- FREDRIKSEN Karen I., SCHARLACH Andrew E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 28(4), 1997, pp.3-22.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Examines job classification and other workplace characteristics as potential mediators of role strain among university employees with adult care responsibilities. After controlling for background caregiver characteristics and the intensity of care giving demands, it was found that job classification, hours worked, work demands, workplace support, and job flexibility contributed significantly to role strain. Caregivers in staff positions provided higher levels of caregiving assistance and experienced less flexibility, control, and support at the workplace than did academics and administrators. These findings have implications for the development of workplace policies and procedures that are responsive to the unique needs of diverse employee groups.
Comparing the experiences of black and white caregivers of dementia patients
- Author:
- COX Carole
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work: A journal of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 40(3), May 1995, pp.343-349.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Caregivers' capacities to cope with dementia patients are severely challenged as demands for care and impairment levels concomitantly increase. Consequently, the experience can be extremely stressful because it affects many areas of the caregivers' life. Using a conceptual stress development model that treats informal supports and competency as potential mediators, the outcomes of caregiving were examined in samples of black and white caregivers. A perceived lack of informal supports and a sense of incompetency exacerbated stress among the black caregivers but had no effects among the white caregivers. White caregivers were predominantly affected by the impairment of the patient. Cultural differences in caregiver expectations that influence needs are proposed as an explanation for these findings. To be most effective in reducing caregiver stress, social workers must be sensitive to the diversity of values and expectations that can affect the experiences of these individuals.
Challenges and resilience related to aging in the United States among older Chinese immigrants
- Authors:
- LI Jianghong, XU Ling, CHI Iris
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 22(12), 2018, pp.1548-1555.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: This study sought to identify challenges and protective factors for resilience related to the process of ageing among older Chinese immigrants in the United States. Methods: This study used qualitative methods and involved 24 in-depth interviews with Chinese immigrants aged 65 or older in Los Angeles. Content analysis was employed to analyze qualitative data. Results: Three major themes emerged regarding challenges older Chinese immigrants encountered in ageing in the United States: language barriers, loneliness and social isolation, and insufficient use of social services. Four themes were identified regarding resilience protective factors: acceptance and optimism; independence and autonomy; informal social support; and use of the formal social welfare system. Conclusion: This study provides several implications for future human services to build relational and societal resilience and enhance Chinese older immigrants’ personal resilience. Cultural strengths should be taken into consideration by practitioners and policy makers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Acculturative stress and depressive symptoms among Korean immigrant elders residing in non-Korean ethnic enclaves
- Author:
- RHEE Stephanie L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 26(4), 2017, pp.347-365.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This cross-sectional structured survey examined the relationships of personal factors, acculturative stress, and depressive symptoms among Korean immigrant elders (N = 108) residing in areas without any Korean ethnic enclave. Multiple regression and path analyses indicated that personal factors such as levels of acculturation and socioeconomic status might influence acculturative stress and depressive symptoms negatively; however, acculturative stress was the most significant risk factor for depressive symptoms. Culturally relevant programmes and services are important vehicles through which to enhance personal resources and reduce lingual and cultural barriers among Korean immigrant elders residing in non-Korean ethnic enclaves. (Publisher abstract)
A comparative study of coping strategies and optimism among Korean, Korean-American, and Caucasian American older men
- Authors:
- LEE HeeSoo, MASON Derek
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 24(1), 2015, pp.39-55.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Coping strategies have significant effects on health of older adults. Our study examined how ethnicities and optimism affect coping strategies among Korean, Korean-American, and Caucasian American older men. Data were collected from 310 community-dwelling adults over the age of 65. The findings showed that there was a significant difference in coping strategies among the three groups. Optimism was also significantly related to coping strategies of Koreans and Caucasian Americans. The impact of immigration on their coping strategies is discussed for Korean-Americans and recommendations for culturally competent social work services are offered. (Publisher abstract)
From burden to depressive symptoms: the case of Chinese-Canadian family caregivers for the elderly
- Author:
- LAI Daniel W. L.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 48(4), May 2009, pp.432-449.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study aims to understand the effect of caregiving burden on depressive symptoms in Chinese-Canadian family caregivers, an area on which little research has been conducted. A random sample of 339 Chinese-Canadian caregivers for elderly family members completed a structured telephone survey. The results showed that depressive symptoms were predicted positively by caregiving burden, while caregiving burden was predicted negatively by financial adequacy and positively by the level of activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) caregiving assistance provided. Culturally appropriate strategies are needed to support Chinese family caregivers in order to properly manage caregiving responsibilities, financial needs, and psychological burden.