STRESS MEDIATION IN CAREGIVERS OF COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED ADULTS - THEORETICAL-MODEL TESTING

The purpose of the study was to test a midrange model of caregiver str ess mediation based on Modeling and Role-Modeling theory. Perceived su pport and self-worth were examined to determine if these self-care res ources had a mediating effect between stress and well-being in care-gi vers of cognitively impaired adults. The sample of 117 caregivers comp leted measures of basic need status, perceived support, self-worth, st ress, and well-being. There were significant correlations among the st udy variables in the expected directions. Resources mediated the relat ionship between stress and well-being, providing tentative support of theoretically proposed linkages.