A STUDY OF CAREGIVER BURDEN, HARDINESS, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN A DIVERSE POPULATION OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF FRAIL ELDERS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FROM "OPTIONS FOR ELDERS".
Contributors: Ohio State University.
Published: 1994
Number of pages: 225
Subjects: Education, Health.; Health Sciences, Nursing.; Gerontology.; Sociology, Individual and Family Studies.
Description: The exploratory study investigated the levels of and the associations among caregiver burden, psychological hardiness, psychological well-being, and the variables caregiver/care-recipient characteristics, caregiver demands, caregiver resources, and caregiver outcomes. The sample was a self-selected (n = 59) cohort of family care-givers (male and female, African-American and Caucasian,) whose frail elders use the services of Options for Elders. Options for Elders is a state demonstration project which provides services to frail elders living in the community. Self-report data was obtained from the following: Caregiver Strain Index as a measure of burden, Health-Related Hardiness Scale as a measure of hardiness, and Mental Health Index as a measure of psychological well-being. Findings: The sample closely resembles the national samples, with the exception of race and income, higher % African-American and higher income than national studies. The majority of caregivers had high levels of burden, hardiness, and psychological well-being. Significant negative correlations were found between burden and psychological well-being. Hardiness was negatively associated with burden but not significant. High levels of burden were associated with caregiver age, employment status, decreased mental and physical health, a decrease in the quality of the relationship, and mental disabilities of the care-recipient. Number of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) was negatively associated with control. Use of caregiver resources were under-used. Hardiness scores indicate higher hardiness in females and African-Americans. Recommendations: Replicate the study to establish instrument norms within diverse populations. Replicate the study in a population not using services of Options. Use the identified high risk items in developing family caregiver assessment instruments and stress management interventions used by health care professionals.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-08, Section: A, page: 2288.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, 1994.

School code: 0168.