SOCIAL SUPPORT AND CAREGIVING BURDEN IN FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF FRAIL ELDERS

This study assessed the relationships between six different types of s ocial support and five measures of caregiving burden. Two questions we re addressed: Are all types of social support equally associated with burden, and do the same types of support correlate with different type s of burden? Family caregivers (N = 217) to frail elders composed the sample. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that all types of so cial support for caregivers of frail elders are not equal. Engaging in social interaction for fun and recreation appears to be the most impo rtant in diminishing the burden of caregiving. These findings are inst ructive both theoretically and clinically. The theoretical import of g reater social participation under a condition of chronic stress is dis cussed. Further, interventions that focus on caregivers regularly expe riencing pleasant activity with friends and other family would seem to go a long way toward managing the burden of caregiving.