Positive aspects of caregiving and adaptation to bereavement.
This study examined how positive aspects of caregiving affect adaptation to bereavement among older adults who cared for a family member with dementia. The sample consisted of 217 caregivers who were part of the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health Study. Using pre- and postloss data, hierarchical regressions were carried out to examine the effects of positive aspects of caregiving (caregiving benefit) on postloss depression and grief. Findings show that preloss caregiving benefit was associated with higher levels of postloss depression and grief, even after controlling for caregiver demographic characteristics, contextual factors, and caregiving burden. This effect was particularly strong for the relation between benefit and grief. Results demonstrate the importance of studying both positive and negative aspects of caregiving and their relation to bereavement outcomes.
Boerner
Kathrin
K
Arlene R. Gordon Research Institute, Lighthouse International, New York, NY 10022, USA. kboerner@lighthouse.org
Schulz
Richard
R
Horowitz
Amy
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001601:Bereavement; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D000928:Antidepressive Agents