CAREGIVERS APPRAISALS OF EFFICACY IN COPING WITH DEMENTIA

This study investigated the types, prevalence, and stability of apprai sals of coping efficacy made by 87 family caregivers of persons with d ementia. With the use of content analysis, 12 efficacy appraisals were identified that reflected caregivers' perceptions of progress in prob lem-solving, regulating emotional distress, protecting self-esteem, ma naging social interactions, and self-development. Most appraisal types showed variability across 2 time points, which suggests that appraisa ls reflect changing person-environment transactions. Five of the appra isals-namely, nonefficacious coping outcomes, no coping options, no co ntrol, an improved ability to cope, and means/ends insights-were prosp ectively related to distress and well-being. The findings suggest that a broad set of goals guides coping efforts in the context of chronic stress.