title: Perceptions of caregiver distress, health behaviors, and provider health-promoting communication and their relationship to stress management in MS caregivers.
abstract: This study applied the Stress/Health Model to examine a novel approach for promoting stress management among 67 caregivers of persons with multiple sclerosis, who often face unique caregiving challenges. Hierarchical regressions indicated that caregiver distress (i.e., emotional burden) and engagement in other health-promoting activities (i.e., controlling alcohol use) were the best predictors of caregiver stress management. Communication with the MS care recipient's health provider about caregiver engagement in health-promoting activities was associated with caregiver stress management, but not significantly more so than explained by the other factors (i.e., caregiver distress and engagement in health-promoting behaviors). A more controlled study would be indicated to further explain how to encourage, within the medical setting, caregiver engagement in self-care activities.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior , Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Penwell-Waines
authors.affiliation: b Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology , George Fox University.
authors.forename: Marie-Christine Rutter
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Goodworth
authors.affiliation: c Arizona State University Counseling Services.
authors.forename: Rhonda S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Casillas
authors.affiliation: d Augusta MS Center.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rahn
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior , Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stepleman
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires