AN EXPLORATION OF ATTACHMENT STYLES AND PERSONALITY-TRAITS IN CAREGIVING FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS

The present study examined the influence of caregivers' Attachment Sty les (Anxious-ambivalent and Avoidant factors) and personality traits ( Neuroticism, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness) on th eir experiences of caring for dementia dependents. A total of 126 care giver-dependent pairs participated in the study. Support was found for the contribution of the attachment style factors in explaining aspect s of caregiver experiences. Those who chose to institutionalize depend ents were higher on the Avoidance factor than those choosing to mainta in them in the community. Less Anxious-ambivalent caregivers reported larger social support networks, and more satisfaction with the support received than those lower on this factor. The caregiver Anxious/ambiv alence and Neuroticism dimensions seemed to function as generalized re sponses reflected in perceptions and appraisals of the stressful situa tion.