Couples with an elderly parent with Alzheimer's disease: perceptions of familial relationships.
This study examined family relationships in families with and without an elderly parent with Alzheimer's disease. Spouses (29 pairs with an Alzheimer's diseased parent; 29 pairs with a healthy elderly parent) completed questionnaires regarding their perceived relationships with each other, their parent, and one of their own children (aged 8-18). In addition, they completed surveys that inquired about feelings of burden regarding the target parent. Couples perceived a poorer relationship with parents with Alzheimer's disease when contrasted to couples who had a healthy elderly parent. In addition, wives with an Alzheimer's parent also tended to have a more negative relationship with their husbands than wives who had a healthy parent. Perceptions of burden were associated with poorer spousal relationships for wives but not husbands.
Creasey
G L
GL
Department of Psychology, Illinois State University, Normal 61761.
Myers
B J
BJ
Epperson
M J
MJ
Taylor
J
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012944:Social Support