Humor and well-being in spouse caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease.
The relationship between the use of humor and well-being was studied in a convenience sample of 96 elderly spouse caregivers of community-residing patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using hierarchical multiple regression analysis and controlling for severity of illness, caregiver education, and income, the use of humor accounted for 18.2% (p < .001) of variance in caregiver well-being. Caregivers of patients with advanced AD symptoms used less humor and had more psychological distress than those caregivers of patients who had mild symptoms. Because humor helps to maintain a sense of well-being, nurses should develop and encourage the use of humor in the spouse caregiver population.
Buffum
M D
MD
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of California, School of Nursing, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA.
Brod
M
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic