Being in control: a note on differences between caregiving and noncaregiving spouses.
Twenty-seven spouse caregivers of dementia patients and 33 noncaregiving (healthy) spouses, aged 54 to 90, described a stressful situation with their spouses and completed measures of perceived control and subjective well-being. Both groups were similar in their perceived lack of control over the spouse's behavior but differed in how control influenced positive affect. Perceived control over the spouse was negatively related to positive affect for the healthy couples but for caregivers it was positively related.
Sistler
A B
AB
Department of Social Work, Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA 70813.
Blanchard-Fields
F
F
D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012923:Social Class; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*