Caregiving in the close relationships of cardiac patients: Exchange, power, and attributional perspectives on caregiver resentment

Abstract

Individuals with a cardiac condition and their spousal caregivers were recruited from cardiac rehabilitation centers and interviewed separately. Based on exchange theory, it was expected that greater caregiver resentment would be associated with feeling underbenefited in the relationship and with an orientation to relationships that did not focus on the needs of the partner (communal), but did focus on “tit‐for‐tat” reciprocity (exchange). It was also expected that those caregivers who were more likely to get their needs satisfied in the relationship before the cardiac incident would be more resentful at giving care. Finally, based on attributional theory, it was predicted that caregivers who thought that their spouses were not taking responsibility for improving their health would be more resentful. As predicted, more resentful caregivers were those who felt underbenefited, were more exchange oriented, and judged that their partners were not working toward improving their health. In addition, only those with a low communal orientation toward their spouse showed a relationship between feeling underbenefited and resentment. The needs centrality prediction was not supported. The findings illustrate the utility of applying theories developed in the close relationship area to the understanding of caregiving with chronically ill populations.

Caregivers of Stroke Patient Family Members: Behavioral and Attitudinal Indicators of Overprotective Care

“…The underbenefited partner is likely to feel less committed or attached to the relationship and also to experience anger toward the partner. Previous research on cardiac patients and their family member caregivers found that the caregivers who felt they were underbenefited were more resentful of their partner (Thompson, et al, 1995). The purpose of this part of the study was to replicate the Thompson et al (1995) finding with a sample of stroke patients and caregivers and then to examine the relationship between caregivers' perceptions of underbenefit and feelings of overprotection on the part of patients.…”

“…Previous research on cardiac patients and their family member caregivers found that the caregivers who felt they were underbenefited were more resentful of their partner (Thompson, et al, 1995). The purpose of this part of the study was to replicate the Thompson et al (1995) finding with a sample of stroke patients and caregivers and then to examine the relationship between caregivers' perceptions of underbenefit and feelings of overprotection on the part of patients. If support is found for the Resentment Model as a source of patient overprotection, then it follows that caregiver perceptions of inequity may be associated with overprotective care, as felt by the patient.…”

“…Responses are given on a 3-point scale, with 1 ¼ never, 2 ¼ sometimes, and 3 ¼ often as response options. It has been found to have good reliability and predictive validity (Thompson et al, 1995). In the present study, alpha was.…”

“…Patients and caregivers also both completed a measure of equity in their relationship, using a scale developed by Thompson et al (1995) that has been used successfully with cardiac patients. The scale consists of items asking who contributes more to the relationship in 12 areas, including doing household chores, contributing financially, and being supportive when the other person is depressed.…”

Receiving support as a mixed blessing: Evidence for dual effects of support on psychological outcomes.

“…Buunk and Schaufeli (1999) took an evolutionary approach to reciprocity, suggesting that it is a basic psychological mechanism that developed to maintain social relationships and indicate individuals' importance in their social groups. Research on couples in which one member is seriously ill has shown that both the ill spouse and the caregiving spouse suffer from frustration, anger, depression, and resentment when the relationship is not judged to be reciprocal (Thompson, Medvene, & Freedman, 1995).…”