TESTING A SYMMETRICAL MODEL OF CAREGIVING OUTCOMES DURING RECOVERY FROM HEART-ATTACKS

This study focused on predictors of psychological distress among careg ivers to elderly patients with heart disease using a symmetrical model of caregiving stress. Based on a 1-year longitudinal study of 104 car egiver-carereceiver dyads, findings indicate that caregivers continue to face challenges a year after the initial heart attack. Psychologica l distress of the recovering heart patient plays an important role in predicting caregiver psychological distress. In contrast, patient card iac symptoms and functional limitations showed no effects. Among careg iver characteristics, physical health, prior psychological distress, a nd caregiver burden were significant predictors of caregiver psycholog ical distress. Finally, caregiving hours displayed an unexpected negat ive direct effect on caregiver distress. However, the indirect effect of caregiving hours on distress (via burden) was in the expected posit ive direct. These data support the usefulness of symmetrical models th at consider characteristics of both members of the caregiving dyad in predicting caregiving outcomes.