CAREGIVING TASKS AS PREDICTORS OF MENTAL-HEALTH OF WIFE CAREGIVERS OFMEN WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY-DISEASE

The type, number, and amount of disturbance generated by caregiving ta sks as well as the adequacy of informal social support were examined a s predictors of the mental health of 89 wife caregivers of men with ch ronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The number of supervision tasks performed was predictive of all the mental health outcomes excep t one. When disturbance level was examined, giving emotional support i n difficult situations was the task category that predicted five of th e eight outcomes. Support variables accounted for small amounts of var iance of most outcomes. However, caregivers who received respite suppo rt when they needed it were actually three times more likely to take p sychotropic drugs than those not receiving support. (C) 1993 John Wile y & Sons, Inc.