Intervention effects on dementia caregiving interaction: a stress-adaptation modeling approach.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate the adequacy of a stress adaptation framework for guiding intervention research on caregivers and patients coping with Alzheimer's disease, and to test the effect of a cognitive stimulation intervention as an interactive outcome.


METHODS
Using a repeated measures design, 87 caregiver-patient dyads were randomized to one of three conditions: active cognitive stimulation, passive stimulation, or control.  Assessments occurred at preintervention, postintervention (3 months), and 9 months.


RESULTS
The LISREL model was entirely satisfactory by the chi-square goodness-of-fit criteria.  However, the coefficients associated with the paths between the mediating concepts and the dyadic interaction differed significantly at 3 months and 9 months.  The intervention group caregivers were shown to be more satisfied with their interaction with the impaired member.


CONCLUSIONS
The improvement in caregiver satisfaction was attributed to an attenuation of the behavioral stressor effects through increased use of a problem-focused coping strategy, namely, positive reappraisal of the stressful situation.
Corbeil
R R
RR
University of San Diego, USA.
Quayhagen
M P
MP
Quayhagen
M
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D016896:Treatment Outcome