PREDICTORS OF DECREASED SELF-CARE AMONG SPOUSE CAREGIVERS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTING ILLNESSES

This study describes the health behaviors (alcohol. consumption, exerc ise, sleep patterns, smoking, and weight maintenance) of a sample of o lder adult spouse caregivers (N = 233) and investigates the predictors of decreased self-care since caregiving began. Multiple regression re sults indicate that caregivers who experience greater developmental bu rden, report a greater number of depressive symptoms, perform a greate r number of activities of daily living (ADL) tasks in caregiving and s pend more hours in a day providing care, and who have lower self-effic acy for both self-care and spouse care are at greater risk for negativ e health behavior change. Results have implications for the identifica tion of caregivers who may be particularly vulnerable to the negative health impact of caregiving.