Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 33
Associations of stressors and uplifts of caregiving with caregiver burden and depressive mood: a meta- analysis
- Authors:
- PINQUART Martin, SÖRENSEN Silvia
- Journal article citation:
- Journals of Gerontology Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 58(2), 2003, pp.112-128.
- Publisher:
- The Gerontological Society of America
The relationships between the different variables which impact on the psychological well being of carers of elderly people are examined in a meta-analysis of 228 publications. The analysis focuses on the relationship between caregiver uplifts, burdens and depression, and caregiving-related stressors. It finds that care recipients’ behaviour problems are more strongly associated with caregiver burden and depression than any other variable including physical or cognitive impairments, duration of caregiving and number of caregiving tasks. The size of the relationship varied by sample characteristics, including dementia versus non-dementia care recipients, adult children versus spouses and convenience versus population samples.
Caregiver comorbidity and the ability to manage stress
- Authors:
- PARRISH Monique, ADAMS Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 42(1), 2003, pp.41-57.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This analysis evaluated the hypothesis that comorbidity, as a measure of physical health status, would negatively impact the stress management capability of caregivers. To examine this relationship, data from 3,112 caregivers participating in the Uniform Caregiver Assessment through California's Caregiver Resource Center System in 2000 were used. Results indicated that comorbidity was not a significant predictor of caregiver inability to manage stress; however, high depression scores, disruptive behavior by the care receiver, and reduced social support from family and friends were significantly associated. Implications for social workers in these areas are discussed. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street Binghamton, NY 13904-1580)
Caregiver role strain: the contribution of multiple roles and available resources in African-American women
- Authors:
- WILLIAMS S. Wallace, DILWORTH-ANDERSON P., GOODWIN P. Y.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 7(2), March 2003, pp.103-112.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
While the roles of spouse, parent, and employee are normative for middle-aged adults, strain associated with each role may increase when the role of caregiver is added. The objectives of the present study were to determine: (1) what is the relationship between the caregiver's other roles (marital, parental, employee), specific combinations of these roles, and role strain; and (2) what is the relationship between available resources (economic, social, and personal) and role strain? The study participants were 148 African-American females who provided care to elderly family members. A model using multiple linear regression was analyzed. Caregivers with higher depressive symptomatology were more strained. However, neither additional multiple roles, nor a combination of roles were significantly related to role strain. African-American caregivers experienced a wide range of caregiver role strain. It would be a disservice to African-American caregivers to operate under the assumption that they provide care with little emotional cost. Continued within group analyses are needed to understand differential outcomes of these caregivers.
Coping strategies and its effects on depression among caregivers of impaired elders in Japan
- Authors:
- ABE K., KASHIWAGI T., TSUNETO S.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 7(3), May 2003, pp.207-211.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The purpose of this study was to explore the coping strategies of Japanese family caregivers and to investigate relationships between coping strategies, caregiving stressors, and family caregivers' mental health. The authors conducted a survey by mail among family members who provided care for physically or mentally impaired elderly. In this study, we used 166 responses from family caregivers for analysis. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis indicated three factors, categorized 'Resignation,' 'Consulting and complaining' and 'Distancing'. In addition, results of structure equation modelling suggested a significant effect of 'Resignation' on the mental health of caregivers. Although the factor structure of coping strategies was similar to other studies conducted in Western countries, the effects of coping strategies were quite different. In conclusion, the effects of coping strategies on caregivers' mental health were confirmed in this study, but different types of coping strategies from those of Western countries were found to be associated with mental health of Japanese family caregivers.
The dimensions of insight in people with dementia
- Authors:
- HOWORTH P., SAPER J.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 7(2), March 2003, pp.113-122.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study aims to characterize the factors determining the retention or loss of insight in dementia through: (i) a comparison of assessment procedures previously used to quantify loss of insight and (ii) a qualitative analysis of interviews with patients and carers. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with thirty-two people with dementia and their carers, which incorporated assessments via clinical interview, discrepancy ratings between patient and carer on an Activities of Daily Living scale, and prediction of performance on a memory task. The results of these were compared and supplemented with themes arising from qualitative analysis of the interviews. Significant differences were found between insight as measured by a prediction of performance paradigm and other methods of assessment. This may reflect a distinction between implicit and explicit knowledge. Analysis of interviews identified the following factors as contributing to people's awareness of their difficulties: (1) short-term frustration or distress; (2) continuous discontent; (3) lack of concern; (4) normalization of problems; (5) worry and anxiety; (6) defensiveness; (7) explicit denial; and (8) priority given to other problems. We conclude that insight in dementia is a complex, multi-dimensional, and value-laden concept. Emotional and behavioural aspects need to be considered as well as the cognitive, which is emphasized by traditional methods of assessment based on quantitative ratings. Implicit awareness may be accessible through subjects' predictions of performance on cognitive tasks and should be further investigated. An adequate account of insight in dementia should incorporate both objective and subjective measures in order to determine the interrelationships between organic changes, personality factors, and psychological mechanisms. A generally accepted, reliable protocol for the assessment of insight needs to be developed.
Coping and defending: age differences in maturity of defence mechanisms and coping strategies
- Author:
- WHITTY M. T.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 7(2), March 2003, pp.123-132.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Previous studies have examined either coping strategies or defence mechanisms; however, few have considered both. This research examined age differences in the type of defence mechanisms and coping strategies that people employ. In addition, gender differences, personality, and environmental variables were taken into account. The three age groups used in this study included: 17-23 year olds, 40-47 year olds, and 63-70 year olds. The youngest participants used significantly less mature defence mechanisms and significantly more immature defence mechanisms than the middle-aged and the oldest group. However, there was no significant difference in maturity of defence mechanisms between the middle-aged and the oldest group. In contrast, there were no age differences revealed for effectiveness of coping strategies people employ. One further interesting finding was that people with a higher purpose in life were more likely to use mature defence mechanisms. This research concludes that when developing theories on stress, psychologists might benefit from considering both defence mechanisms and coping strategies.
The role of appraisal and expressive support in mediating strain and gain in Hispanic Alzheimer's disease caregivers
- Author:
- MORANO Carmen L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 12(2), 2003, pp.1-17.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The purpose of this study was to examine how appraisal of burden and satisfaction, and perception of expressive support mediate the effects of caregiving on depression, somatic complaints, life satisfaction and personal gain with a sample of Hispanic Alzheimer's disease (AD) primary caregivers. A purposive-snowball sampling technique was used to identify 103 Hispanic caregivers, who completed a self-report questionnaire. A translation-back-translation process was used to translate the instruments into Spanish. Translated instruments were then pilot tested prior to being administered to the participants. Appraisal of burden was found to mediate the effects of caregiving on depression and somatic complaints and had significant direct effects on life satisfaction. Appraisal of satisfaction did not have a mediating effect on any of the measures, but did have a direct effect on depression and personal gain. Expressive support did have a mediating effect on depression, as well as direct effects on somatic complaints and life satisfaction. These findings suggest a need for improving outreach to older minorities and developing culturally sensitive interventions that can improve caregivers' understanding of problematic behavior, thereby altering appraisal of the situation, as well as developing extended systems of support. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street Binghamton, NY 13904-1580)
Caregiver stress and noncaregiver stress: exploring the pathways of psychiatric morbidity
- Authors:
- AMIRKANYAN Anna A., WOLF Douglas A.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 43(6), December 2003, pp.817-827.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study examines depressive symptoms among adult children of elderly parents; it views the parents' care needs and child's care activities as two separate stressors, different combinations of which may affect both caregiving and noncaregiving family members. A sample of 4,380 women and 3,965 men from the first wave of the Health and Retirement Study was analyzed by use of four alternative forms of multiple regression analysis. Using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, respondents reported on their depressive symptoms, as well as on parental disability and care provided by themselves, their spouses, and siblings. Noncaregivers reporting severe parental disability were significantly more likely to experience depression symptoms. Evidence of increased manifestations of depression was not found among those caring for severely disabled relatives; nor was it found among those providing care in the absence of severe parental care needs. Having a caregiving sibling was associated with increased CES-D scores among noncaregivers. this approach to members of a family network regardless of caregiver status, this study allows us to distinguish the magnitude of negative outcomes of serious parental care needs while clarifying the impact uniquely attributable to caregiving activities.
Caring for someone with dementia
- Author:
- BROTCHIE Jane
- Publisher:
- Age Concern
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 123p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Caring for someone with dementia can be physically and emotionally exhausting, and it is often difficult to think about what can be done to make the situation easier. This book shows how to cope and seek further help as well as containing detailed information on the illness itself and what to expect in the future. A person with dementia, whose mental abilities are declining, is likely to feel vulnerable and in need of reassurance and support. It is important that those around them do everything they can to help them to retain their sense of identity and their feelings of self worth. Such people will need to remember that: each person with dementia is a unique individual with their own very different experiences of life, their own needs and feelings and their own likes and dislikes. Although there are symptoms of dementia which are common to everyone each person will be affected by their dementia in a different way. Everyone reacts to the experience of dementia in an individual way. The experience means different things to different people. Those caring for a person with dementia will need to take account of their abilities, interests and preferences. They need to be aware that these things may change as the dementia progresses. They should be prepared to respond in a flexible and sensitive way.
Resiliency in family caregivers: implications for social work practice
- Authors:
- ROSS Lynn, HOLLIMAN Diane, DIXON Danny R.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 40(3), 2003, pp.81-96.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A brief survey instrument (the Caregiver Resilience Instrument) was administered to informal caregivers (N = 23) in a rural area in southeast America. These caregivers had been identified as being 'resilient,' in that they had discovered methods of dealing successfully with the demands of caregiving for a person with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Findings from this survey revealed common themes, ranging from identification of the most difficult aspects of caregiving to the benefits of caregiving, as well as ways these caregivers manage stress. Implications for social work practice with informal caregivers are presented in some detail. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).