Private prayer among Alzheimer's caregivers: mediating burden and resiliency.
This study examined whether the coping method of private prayer served as a protective factor of resiliency among a sample (N = 304) of Alzheimer's caregivers. Participants in caregiver support groups completed questionnaires that assessed a number of constructs, including caregiving burden; prayer frequency; use of private prayer as a means of coping; and perceived resiliency. The sample averaged a moderate level of burden and a great extent of prayer usage. Caregiving burden had positively affected the extent of prayer usage and negatively influenced perceived resiliency. Findings from hierarchical regression analysis showed that caregiving burden and private prayer significantly influenced variation in perceived resiliency scores. Results from a regression equation series and path analysis provided support for prayer as a mediator between burden and perceived resiliency. Implications for social work practice and education are discussed.
Wilks
Scott E
SE
LSU School of Social Work, 203 HP Long Fieldhouse, Baton Rogue, LA 70803, USA. swilks@lsu.edu
Vonk
M Elizabeth
ME
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012067:Religion; D012947:Social Work; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires