MARITAL HISTORY AND THE PRIOR RELATIONSHIP AS PREDICTORS OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE OUTCOMES AMONG WIFE CAREGIVERS

Guided by the resiliency model of family stress, adjustment, and adapt ation, this study investigated interpersonal vulnerability variables ( i.e., marital history and quality of the relationship prior to onset o f Alzheimer's disease), caregiver resources, and appraisals of stresso rs as predictors of both positive and negative outcomes among 72 wife caregivers. All of these variables were significant predictors of depr ession and quality of life even after controlling for caregiver stress . Stressors and interpersonal variables were most important in the pre diction of caregiving satisfaction. The implications of these findings for service providers are discussed.