Using data from a larger study of caregivers of the elderly, this stud
y explores the extent to wh ich religiosity variables function as medi
ators of the effects of situational/demographic factors on perceived c
aregiver rewards. In the parent project, random digit dialing was used
to select 136 Black and 255 White caregivers of community-dwelling el
ders for face-to-face interviews. Regression analyses revealed that Bl
ack caregivers perceived higher levels of rewards than Whites and the
relationship between race and perceived rewards was mediated by comfor
t from religion and prayer. Blacks and Whites with more eduction repor
ted fewer perceived rewards than caregivers with less education.