SUPPORT, PROBLEM-SOLVING COPING ABILITY, AND PERSONAL BURDEN OF YOUNGER AND OLDER CAREGIVERS OF ADULTS WITH MENTAL-RETARDATION/

Relations between service and support utilization, problem-solving/cop ing strategies, and level of personal burden experienced by younger an d older caregivers were examined. Overall, there were no differences i n the number of support services received. However, younger caregivers reported significantly more unmet service needs and rated significant ly more of them as a critical or an emergency need. Both groups had hi ghly developed effective problem-solving skills. However, older caregi vers were more likely to seek spiritual support and the younger caregi vers more apt to mobilize their families to acquire and accept help. O lder caregivers experienced significantly less personal burden. Result s suggest that younger caregivers are more predisposed toward seeking outside help and have higher expectations of the service system.