title: Predicting caregiver gains: a longitudinal study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine if changes in motivations to care, familism, illness perceptions, caregiver tasks, coping, and social support were related to caregiver reported gains (subjective feelings of satisfaction and rewards as a result of the care role).
  
  
  METHODS
  A longitudinal design was employed whereby 123 caregivers completed a questionnaire at three time points: baseline, 3 months, and 9 months from baseline.
  
  
  METHODS
  Independent variables were converted into residual change scores (between time 1 and time 2) and their influence on caregiver gains at time 2 and time 3 was examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caregiver reported gains remained stable over time. Hierarchical regression analysis found that an increase in illness coherence was a strong predictor of caregiver gains at time 2, whereas predictors of time 3 gains included ethnicity, number of hours caregiving, and an increase in self-distraction and denial as coping methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study has implications for the development of time-specific interventions to increase caregiver gains and also for service development.
authors.affiliation: Bangor University, North Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Sahdia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parveen
authors.forename: Val
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult