Dementia caregivers reported more stressors, providing more care for self-care and behavioral problems than nondementia caregivers. Dementia caregivers also reported higher appraisals of stress and burden, and more depressive symptoms, but did not differ from nondementia caregivers on mental and physical health quality of life. In multivariable-adjusted models, adjustment for the total number of care...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Background and Objectives: Few population-based studies have directly compared caregivers of persons with dementia to caregivers of persons with other disabilities (nondementia caregivers). We enrolled dementia and nondementia caregivers who were providing substantial and sustained care and compared these groups on measures of caregiver stressors, appraisals of burden, and well-being. Research Design and Methods: Caregivers (N = 251) who provided continuous care for at least 1 year and at least 5 h per week were recruited from the population-based REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. Caregivers reported on dementia caregiving status, stressors, burden, and well-being. Results: Forty-seven percent (n = 117) reported caring for a person with dementia. Dementia caregivers reported more stressors, providing more care for self-care and behavioral problems than nondementia caregivers. Dementia caregivers also reported higher appraisals of stress and burden, and more depressive symptoms, but did not differ from nondementia caregivers on mental and physical health quality of life. In multivariable-adjusted models, adjustment for the total number of care recipient problems attenuated differences between dementia and nondementia caregivers on burden and depression measures. Discussion and Implications: Dementia and nondementia caregivers showed relatively few differences in indicators of overall well-being in this population-based sample, perhaps because both groups of caregivers in this study were providing substantial care. Dementia caregivers may require special assistance with dementia-specific problems such as behavioral problems. Clinical interventions and policy changes targeting highly burdened caregivers are needed to support them in allowing their care recipients to age in place at home.
(Edited publisher abstract)
International Social Work, 64(4), 2021, pp.611-624.
Publisher:
Sage
The number of informal caregivers over the age of 50 who care for multiple family members including children and elderly relatives – a practice termed ‘double care’ – has steadily increased in Asian countries. Despite the rise in depression and stress among such caregivers, few studies have examined factors that may mitigate their emotional exhaustion. This research examines relationships between
(Edited publisher abstract)
The number of informal caregivers over the age of 50 who care for multiple family members including children and elderly relatives – a practice termed ‘double care’ – has steadily increased in Asian countries. Despite the rise in depression and stress among such caregivers, few studies have examined factors that may mitigate their emotional exhaustion. This research examines relationships between care responsibilities and emotional exhaustion, and the mediation effects of self-care on people in their 50s through 70s who provide care to multiple family members including children and elderly parents or relatives. The participants of this study were 183 people who were providing double care. The authors used care responsibilities as the independent variable, self-care as a mediator, and emotional exhaustion as the dependent variable. Results indicate that care responsibilities significantly affect emotional exhaustion, and that emotional exhaustion is mediated by self-care. The findings suggest that attention to self-care may reduce emotional exhaustion among caregivers in this older age group.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Background and Objectives: In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic. Given that such a global event might affect day-to-day stress processes, the current study examined individuals’ daily stress reactivity and its moderators early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Design and Methods: Two-level, multilevel models examined the daily...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Background and Objectives: In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic. Given that such a global event might affect day-to-day stress processes, the current study examined individuals’ daily stress reactivity and its moderators early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Design and Methods: Two-level, multilevel models examined the daily relationship between perceived stress and negative affect, or stress reactivity, as well as the moderating effects of daily pandemic worry, age, and daily positive affect on this process. Participants included 349 individuals (age range = 26–89) from the Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being who completed a 28-day, daily diary study at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Older individuals were less stress-reactive than younger individuals. Within individuals, however, stress reactivity was buffered by daily positive affect and exacerbated by daily pandemic worry. Finally, although daily positive affect buffered daily stress reactivity, this effect was weaker on days individuals were more worried about the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussion and Implications: The mobilization of positive emotion may be a promising avenue for buffering stress reactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic, although this may be limited on days individuals are particularly concerned about the pandemic.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 26(7-8), 2016, pp.636-647.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
...the stress process model. As multiple regression analyses indicated, the caregiver’s perceived overload predicted greater strain for both spousal and adult child caregivers. For both groups, common correlates of physical strain were caregiving demands, the caregiver’s perceived overload, and limitations placed on the caregiver’s life. The results demonstrate that the family relationship of the caregiver
(Publisher abstract)
Family caregivers of frail elders can experience physical strain associated with caregiving. Identifying correlates of caregiver strain can provide an important impetus for tackling the causes and providing effective interventions. Utilizing data from the 1999 National Long-Term Care Survey, the current study examined correlates of caregiver physical strain among 956 family caregivers, using the stress process model. As multiple regression analyses indicated, the caregiver’s perceived overload predicted greater strain for both spousal and adult child caregivers. For both groups, common correlates of physical strain were caregiving demands, the caregiver’s perceived overload, and limitations placed on the caregiver’s life. The results demonstrate that the family relationship of the caregiver (spouse or adult child) leads to variations and dynamics in caregiver strains, due to qualitatively different relationships.
(Publisher abstract)
Journal of Family Social Work, 19(5), 2016, pp.420-442.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
With the ever-increasing growth in the ageing population, the need for care providers will also continue to rise. Many of these caregivers will provide informal care to family members and friends at a price to their own physical, psychological, and social well-being. This article examines the phenomenon of caregiving and provides a review of the biological, psychological, and social impacts of caregiving to care providers. George Engel’s biopsychosocial model is explored to examine the biological, psychological, and social factors that can affect a caregiver’s health and well-being. This article further explores social work practice implications and strategies for future intervention to reduce caregiver burnout and aid in their self-preservation.
(Edited publisher abstract)
With the ever-increasing growth in the ageing population, the need for care providers will also continue to rise. Many of these caregivers will provide informal care to family members and friends at a price to their own physical, psychological, and social well-being. This article examines the phenomenon of caregiving and provides a review of the biological, psychological, and social impacts of caregiving to care providers. George Engel’s biopsychosocial model is explored to examine the biological, psychological, and social factors that can affect a caregiver’s health and well-being. This article further explores social work practice implications and strategies for future intervention to reduce caregiver burnout and aid in their self-preservation.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 11(5), 2016, pp.353-360.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
London
Aim: The world population is rapidly ageing. As population age, the incidence of functional limitations increases, demanding higher levels of care from caregivers. Assistive technologies improve individuals’ functioning, independence, well-being and quality of life. By increasing independence of older adults, assistive technologies decrease workloads required from informal caregivers. This review investigates, evaluates, and synthesises existing findings to examine whether and how assistive technologies reduce caregiver burden. Methods: Databases searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Three groups of keywords were combined: those relating to assistive technology, caregiver burden, and older adults. Results: Two theories emerged from the analysis of study results. Caregivers reported that assistive technologies decrease caregiver burden. However, caregivers had concerns that assistive technologies could add to caregiver burden, highlighting the limitations of assistive technology. Conclusions: As suggested by a majority of the studies in this review, assistive technologies contribute to reducing caregiver burden among caregivers of older adults. Assistive technologies assisted caregivers by reducing time, levels of assistance and energy put towards caregiving, anxiety and fear, task difficulty, safety risk particularly for activities requiring physical assistance and increasing the independence of the users. Further research is required to better understand limitations of assistive technologies.
(Publisher abstract)
Aim: The world population is rapidly ageing. As population age, the incidence of functional limitations increases, demanding higher levels of care from caregivers. Assistive technologies improve individuals’ functioning, independence, well-being and quality of life. By increasing independence of older adults, assistive technologies decrease workloads required from informal caregivers. This review investigates, evaluates, and synthesises existing findings to examine whether and how assistive technologies reduce caregiver burden. Methods: Databases searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Three groups of keywords were combined: those relating to assistive technology, caregiver burden, and older adults. Results: Two theories emerged from the analysis of study results. Caregivers reported that assistive technologies decrease caregiver burden. However, caregivers had concerns that assistive technologies could add to caregiver burden, highlighting the limitations of assistive technology. Conclusions: As suggested by a majority of the studies in this review, assistive technologies contribute to reducing caregiver burden among caregivers of older adults. Assistive technologies assisted caregivers by reducing time, levels of assistance and energy put towards caregiving, anxiety and fear, task difficulty, safety risk particularly for activities requiring physical assistance and increasing the independence of the users. Further research is required to better understand limitations of assistive technologies.
(Publisher abstract)
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23(12), December 2008, pp.1271-1275.
Publisher:
Wiley
Theories about the impact of stressful life events (SLE) in bipolar disorder have focused on their role early in the disease. This study aimed to assess the impact of SLE in late life bipolar disorder. Negative SLE experienced by older bipolar subjects was evaluated and compared with younger bipolar subjects and older controls for number, type, and their association with phase of illness, age
Theories about the impact of stressful life events (SLE) in bipolar disorder have focused on their role early in the disease. This study aimed to assess the impact of SLE in late life bipolar disorder. Negative SLE experienced by older bipolar subjects was evaluated and compared with younger bipolar subjects and older controls for number, type, and their association with phase of illness, age of onset, and previous episodes. Both younger and older bipolar subjects have more SLE than similarly aged controls. There was no significant difference in the number of stressors that younger and older bipolar subjects experienced, based on mood state, previous episodes, or age-of-onset. Both older and younger depressed bipolar subjects reported more SLE in the previous 12 months compared with those in a manic state. Negative SLE are much more prevalent in bipolar patients compared with age-matched controls, and continue to be frequent in later life.
Aging and Mental Health, 12(3), May 2008, pp.333-342.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Further analysis of existing data from a previous longitudinal Canadian study of older husband caregivers sought to determine whether primary objective and subjective stressors drawn from Pearlin's model of caregiving could predict three patterns of psychological distress observed in the sample over 1 year: (a) stable high (n = 115), (b) stable low (n = 44), and (c) rising (n = 46). Results of discriminant function analyses show that subjective stressors (level of role overload, role captivity and relational deprivation) at baseline, distinguish the stable low group of husbands from the stable-high. The results suggest that there is considerable stability over time. Many husband caregivers report high-psychological distress and need help, whereas there is a need of preventive interventions to keep psychological distress low. Implications for singular interventions.
Further analysis of existing data from a previous longitudinal Canadian study of older husband caregivers sought to determine whether primary objective and subjective stressors drawn from Pearlin's model of caregiving could predict three patterns of psychological distress observed in the sample over 1 year: (a) stable high (n = 115), (b) stable low (n = 44), and (c) rising (n = 46). Results of discriminant function analyses show that subjective stressors (level of role overload, role captivity and relational deprivation) at baseline, distinguish the stable low group of husbands from the stable-high. The results suggest that there is considerable stability over time. Many husband caregivers report high-psychological distress and need help, whereas there is a need of preventive interventions to keep psychological distress low. Implications for singular interventions.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, older people, stress, carers;
Families in Society, 89(1), January 2008, pp.51-60.
Publisher:
The Alliance for Children and Families
Approximately 1 million older persons have a severe mental illness (SMI) and this number is expected to double in the coming decades. While research studies have examined the experiences of family members of younger persons with SMI, very little is known about caregivers of older SMI clients. This study examined the characteristics, burdens, and rewards of 60 caregivers of older SMI clients in the US using a modified version of family caregiver scales of Tessler, Fisher, & Gamache (1992). Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that increased client symptoms, higher levels of help provided, increased caregiver income, and knowledge about the care recipient’s diagnosis were predicative of caregiver burden. Decreased number of client symptoms, care recipient being female, and greater experience of the presence of God predicted caregiver rewards. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Approximately 1 million older persons have a severe mental illness (SMI) and this number is expected to double in the coming decades. While research studies have examined the experiences of family members of younger persons with SMI, very little is known about caregivers of older SMI clients. This study examined the characteristics, burdens, and rewards of 60 caregivers of older SMI clients in the US using a modified version of family caregiver scales of Tessler, Fisher, & Gamache (1992). Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that increased client symptoms, higher levels of help provided, increased caregiver income, and knowledge about the care recipient’s diagnosis were predicative of caregiver burden. Decreased number of client symptoms, care recipient being female, and greater experience of the presence of God predicted caregiver rewards. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Subject terms:
older people, severe mental health problems, stress, carers;
Aging and Mental Health, 11(2), March 2007, pp.205-217.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
This multi-study analysis systematically examines research findings on relationships between social support and caregiver adjustment to discover whether informal support helps family caregivers. Caring for older relatives is an ongoing stressful life course event and role. Informal social support is often used as a predictor of caregiver adjustment outcomes. It is widely believed to enhance
This multi-study analysis systematically examines research findings on relationships between social support and caregiver adjustment to discover whether informal support helps family caregivers. Caring for older relatives is an ongoing stressful life course event and role. Informal social support is often used as a predictor of caregiver adjustment outcomes. It is widely believed to enhance adjustment. Yet the varied research results do not necessarily support this belief. A computer-generated literature search of social sciences and medical databases produced thirty-five caregiving articles, published in refereed journals, which meet study parameters. A coding form was developed to categorize social support and adjustment variables for cross-tabular analyses. The findings show most relationships (61%) between social support and caregiver adjustment are not positively significant. Of the minority of positively significant relationships, neither perceived (available) nor received support is more important and neither instrumental nor socioemotional support is more likely to aid adjustment. Researchers and health care professionals need to explore the negative impact of social support and attributes of caregiver-care recipient relationships.