PREDICTORS OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF PRIMARY CAREGIVERS LIVING WITH A DEMENTED RELATIVE - A 1-YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

This 1-year follow-rep study aimed to examine the predictors of change in psychological well-being, using two negative indicators (psycholog ical distress and negative feelings about the caregiver role) and two positive indicators (positive feelings about the caregiver role and po sitive affect) of well-being. The sample consisted of primary caregive rs (n = 180) cohabiting with a demented relative. Four variables were involved in predictive relationships with psychological well-being. Th e first variable, appraisal of the disturbance from dysfunctional beha viors at Time 1, was selectively predictive of an increase in the two negative indicators over a year The second and third variables increas ed conflicts in the exchange of informal support and less frequent inf ormal support at Time 1, were predictive of an increase in psychologic al distress. The fourth variable, frequent use of affective-stimulativ e dementia management strategies at Time 1, appeared to predict an inc rease in the two positive indicators of well-being. Knowledge of these four predictors can be useful in designing interventions that target the improvement of well-being.