Effect of race on cultural justifications for caregiving.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective in this study was to explore the effects of caregiver characteristics on cultural reasons given for providing care to dependent elderly family members.


METHODS
The sample included 48 African American and 121 White caregivers. Using multivariate analyses, we used caregiver characteristics (e.g., race, gender, education) to predict scores on the Cultural Justifications for Caregiving Scale (CJCS).


RESULTS
Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the CJCS was appropriate for both African American and White caregivers. African Americans had stronger cultural reasons for providing care than Whites, education levels were inversely related to CJCS scores, and the influences of gender and age on cultural reasons were moderated by race. Compared to females, African American males had lower CJCS scores, whereas White males had higher CJCS scores. Younger as compared to older White caregivers had higher CJCS scores.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the long-standing cultural tradition of African American families providing care to dependent elders. Cultural reasons for caregiving need to be interpreted within the context of race and gender socialization. Social roles, such as husband or wife, son or daughter, can also help determine how individuals within a particular cultural group experience cultural expectations and obligations. Information from this study can inform culturally appropriate caregiving interventions.
Dilworth-Anderson
Peggye
P
Center for Aging and Diversity, University of North Carolina Institute on Aging, 720 Airport Road, Suite 100, CB 1030, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-1030, USA. dilworth@email.unc.edu
Brummett
Beverly H
BH
Goodwin
Paula
P
Williams
Sharon Wallace
SW
Williams
Redford B
RB
Siegler
Ilene C
IC
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003469:Culture; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009657:North Carolina; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology