Congruence between disabled elders and their primary caregivers.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the extent and independent correlates of congruence between disabled elders and their caregivers on several aspects of the caregiving experience.


METHODS
Participants were 117 visually impaired elders and their caregivers. Correlational analyses, kappa statistics, and paired t tests were used to examine the extent of congruence. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses identified significant correlates of congruence on four target issues: elder's functional disability, elder's adaptation to vision impairment, caregiver's overprotectiveness, and caregiver's understanding of the vision problem.


RESULTS
Caregivers assessed elders as more disabled and rated themselves as more overprotective than did the elders. Although independent correlates varied by target issue, two domains most consistently influenced congruence across measures: the caregiver's assessment of the elder's status and quality of the relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings underscore the importance of addressing congruence by target issue, rather than as a global characteristic of the caregiving relationship.
Horowitz
Amy
A
Arlene R. Gordon Research Institute, Lighthouse International, 111 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022, USA. ahorowitz@lighthouse.org
Goodman
Caryn R
CR
Reinhardt
Joann P
JP
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012931:Social Environment; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000451:nursing*