Caregiver Reciprocity: The effect of reciprocity, carer self-esteem and motivation on the experience of caregiver burden

Abstract

Caregiver burden can be alleviated by a sense of reciprocity or balance in the give-and-take between a caregiver and carereceiver (Dwyer & Miller, 1990). This study investigated whether self-esteem and intrinsic motivation influence the relationship between reciprocity and caregiver burden. Primary caregivers (N = 56) of a patient with a disability, illness or frailty due to aging were recruited via carer organisations. Participants completed the Caregiver Burden Inventory (Novak & Guest, 1989a), the Caregiver Reciprocity Scale (Carruth, 1996) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965). Reciprocity decreased caregiver burden directly, although self-esteem did partially mediate the relationship between reciprocal warmth and emotional burden. Contrary to predictions, self-esteem and intrinsic motivation enhanced rather than diminished the impact of reciprocity on burden. Intervention strategies aimed at fostering reciprocity are suggested.

“That’s what friends do”: Informal caregiving for chronically ill midlife and older lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults

“…Additional challenges that may accompany caregiving include feeling strain and stresses, experiencing increased time commitment and a dwindling social life, getting too involved, getting too attached, and feelings of guilt when the CR needs more care than the friend can provide (Barker, 2002; Nocon & Pearson, 2000). Research on caregiving and reciprocity found that some of the negative effects of caregiving to be decreased by reciprocal warmth between the CG and recipient of care (Reid, Moss, & Hyman, 2005). …”

Ethical Dimensions and Filial Caregiving

“…Caregiver burden has been noted to decrease with a sense of reciprocity or balance of exchange within the caregiving dyad (Reid, Moss, & Hyman, 2005;author, 1996;Donorfio & Sheehan, 2001). Some filial caregivers in their "expression of friendship and love" may seem to go "beyond the call of duty."…”

Does a helping hand mean a heavy heart? Helping behavior and well-being among spouse caregivers.

“…The transition to a caregiving relationship is frequently marked by a loss of reciprocity between relationship partners, making acts of helping feel more burdensome for the caregiver (e.g., Neufeld & Harrison, 1995; Pearlin, Mullan, Semple, & Skaff, 1990; Reid, Moss, & Hyman, 2005). In the absence of reciprocity, other aspects of the relationship between caregiver and care recipient may influence the effects of helping.…”

“…In most prior work, caregiving has been defined without reference to caregiver behavior—for example, as witnessing a loved one’s illness (Cacioppo et al, 1998) or hospitalization of the spouse (Christakis & Allison, 2006). This limitation has been present specifically in research on the relationship between caregiver and care recipient as a moderator of wellbeing outcomes (e.g., Reid et al, 2005; Uchino, Kiecolt-Glaser, & Cacioppo, 1994; Williamson & Schulz, 1990; Williamson et al, 1998). Moreover, research that has specifically assessed time spent caregiving—as distinct from being a caregiver— has typically not distinguished between (possibly beneficial) active helping and time spent on call (e.g., Amirkhanyan & Wolf, 2003; Arai & Ueda, 2003; S.…”