Another study found that difficulties in family relationships are associated with increased dependency in the aged parent. However, four studies reported that the higher quality of relationships prior to the caregiving situation, the lower the levels of caregiver burden. Thus, persons and families with high quality relationships prior to caregiving may be less vulnerable to negative effects. Although aged parents would first choose to live with their adult children if they became dependent, both parents and adult children would prefer not to live together unless such an arrangement became necessary. Some of the chief problems associated with living together in this arrangement were a lack of privacy and space, and conflict over how to bring up younger children.
Social support appears to play a role in reducing caregiver stress.
Several studies suggest that when caregivers are involved socially and receive support from others, they are less vulnerable to burden, depression, anxiety, and lower morale, life satisfaction, health and well-being. In addition, the feelings caregivers have toward aged relatives appear to act as a buffer against the stress of caregiving. For instance, one study found that stress and negative feelings were eased by feelings of love for and attachment to the aged parent. Another study found an association between filial responsibility felt by the caretaking adult child and affection and communication with the aged parent. Three separate studies found that when there is a strong bond between caregiver and care recipient, caregivers report less stress.