GUILT IN CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA: PRE AND POST NURSING HOME PLACEMENT.
Contributors: Rush University, College Of Nursing.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 116
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Psychology, Clinical.
Description: This study of guilt after nursing home (NH) placement was part of a longitudinal exploratory study of caregivers of persons with dementia. A 17-item Guilt Scale based on Freudian theory, Yalom's conceptualization of guilt, and caregiver literature was retrospectively constructed from existing instruments. A Global Guilt Item and three dimensions of guilt were identified: Feeling of Not Doing Enough, Negative Feelings toward the Care-receiver, and Wish to Be Free of the Burden. Internal consistency of the Total Guilt Scale was demonstrated (Cronbach's alpha =.87).

Guilt was significantly higher in the NH group (n = 37) than the control group (n = 71) pre (F = 5.33, P =.023) and post (F = 16.59, P =.000) placement, although there was no significant change in guilt for either group. Further examination revealed that 24 NH caregivers increased (Group 1) and 13 decreased (Group 2) in guilt after placement. Group 1 was not only significantly lower in Guilt than Group 2 before placement, but was lower in Anxiety and Worry also.

After placement Group 1, which increased significantly on the guilt subscale Wish to Be Free of the Burden, was significantly higher than Group 2 on Depression, Hostility and Anxiety measures. Group 2, which significantly decreased on the guilt subscale Negative Feelings toward the Care-receiver, was significantly higher on the Coping Subscale: Care-receiver Comfort. This suggests that those who decreased in Guilt after placement were more able to continue involvement with the care-receiver.

Correlational analysis revealed that Guilt was positively correlated with Burden, the Coping subscale Tension Release, Worry, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Problem Behavior and Distress regarding Problem Behavior pre and post placement. Before placement guilt was also correlated with total Coping, Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior, Anxiety and Paranoia.

Health care professionals need to be alert to those who need support in regard to guilt during the decision-making process and those who need support after placement.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-12, Section: B, page: 6223.

Thesis (D.N.SC.)--RUSH UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF NURSING, 1993.

School code: 0591.