Between Stressors and Outcomes: Can We Simplify Caregiving Process Variables?

Abstract

Lawton, Kleban, Moss, Rovine & Glicksman's (1989) construction of caregiving appraisal is examined through a principal components analysis and varimax rotation of a data set based on in-depth quantitative interviews with 144 caregivers. Five caregiving appraisal dimensions were identified. Two dealt specifically with the provision of care: "task load caregiving" and "dysfunctional caregiving." The remaining three were primarily concerned with social supportiveness: "intimacy and love," "social captivity," and "social distance." "Dysfunctional caregiving" was the only type of appraisal that had significant bivariate relationships with poor mental health, low psychological well-being and subsequent institutionalization. A sixth dimension identified in this analysis, "inner strength and efficacy," represented psychological resources. Its independence from the appraisal measures supports Lawton et al.'s (1989) assumption that resources and appraisals can be measured separately. In contrast, social resources are better conceptualized as an integral part of caregiving appraisals.

Positive Aspects of Caregiving

“…Alpha coefficient = .86. N = 83 Braithwaite (1996) Appraisals that are seen as mutually rewarding that 4 items defined using factor analytic techniques reflect intimacy and love. (Lawton et al 1989).…”

Sources of strength perceived by females caring for relatives diagnosed with cancer: an exploratory study from India

“…Although there is a growing number of research endeavors that focus on positive aspects of care-giving experience such as satisfaction, positive appraisal of the care-giving experience, gratifications, meaning, and purpose in caregiving and personal gains [2,5,10,18,33]; there is a dearth of research on the processes and contexts that may accompany generation and maintenance of positive affective states as well as experience of personal gains during caregiving. In a longitudinal study of AIDS caregivers, three kinds of coping related to the occurrence and maintenance of positive affect were identified namely; positive reappraisal, goal-directed problem-focused coping [32], and the infusion of ordinary events with positive meaning [13].…”

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of a Patient/Caregiver Symptom Control Intervention: Effects on Depressive Symptomatology of Caregivers of Cancer Patients

“…In a similar vein, other researchers have shown that caregivers were more likely to be depressed when they felt less self-efficacy and less self-satisfaction from their roles as caregivers. [21][22][23][24] With little or no formal training, family caregivers are called upon to assume day-to-day responsibilities for management of symptoms and side effects, medication administration, and transportation to physician and treatment appointments. Bucher 25 observed that family caregivers are often uninformed about what they should do and lack the requisite skills to carry out the caregiving role.…”