S. Talkingtonboyer et Dk. Snyder, ASSESSING IMPACT ON FAMILY CAREGIVERS TO ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE PATIENTS, The American journal of family therapy, 22(1), 1994, pp. 57-66
This study examined both positive and negative impact of caregiving in
a sample of 110 caregivers to an aging family member suffering from A
lzheimer's disease. Family caregivers' appraisals along dimensions of
subjective burden, negative impact, caregiving satisfaction, and careg
iver mastery were correlated with the extent of memory and behavior pr
oblems of the patient and caregivers' coping style, locus of control,
self-esteem, ego strength, level of depression, and perceived environm
ental support. Results provide additional evidence for the multidimens
ional structure of caregivers' subjective appraisals. Correlational fi
ndings suggest the potential treatment utility of multicompoment inter
vention programs addressing both positive and negative dimensions of f
amily caregivers' experience.