FAMILY SUPPORT: FACTORS INFLUENCING ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE CAREGIVER FUNCTIONING.
Contributors: University of Rochester.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 131
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Mental Health.
Description: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder that leads to the loss of cognitive ability with a resulting decrease in day to day functioning. Studies have shown that caring for a demented relative impacts on the caregiver's physical and mental health. This study theorized that the caregiver's resources and perception, combined with patient deficits and caregiver illness, influence caregiver functioning. A conceptual framework for examining these relationships was drawn from the literature on Family Stress Theory.

The study sample included 91 primary caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients followed at the Older Adult and Memory Disorders Clinic at Strong Memorial Hospital or attending Alzheimer's Association support groups. Sixty-six caregivers were spouses, sixteen daughters, five sons, three sisters, and one grandson.

The data were collected from a self-report questionnaire. The Memory-Behavior Problem Checklist and Caregiver Illness Checklist were used to measure health status. Caregiver resources were measured using the Social Support Questionnaire and the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Scale. The Boundary Ambiguity and Mastery Scales were used to obtain information about the caregiver's perception of the situation. Caregiver functioning was measured with the General Health Survey.

The data were descriptively analyzed using frequency distributions and measures of central tendency for the variables. Relationships among the variables were then investigated using the correlation analysis. Six models, based on the literature, were tested using structural equation modeling. A seventh model based on the results of the correlation analysis was also tested.

The results of the study indicated that it is the positioning of the variables within the models that determined whether the pathways were significant. Mastery was found to be an important variable; however, it may be the relationship between mastery and resources that is key. In the models of best fit, resources have a direct effect on mastery which has a direct effect on caregiver functioning. Boundary ambiguity was also found to be an important variable; however, it had a different effect from that anticipated. It was found to be more directly related to the caregiver's sense of mastery and use of resources rather than having a direct effect on caregiver functioning. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-10, Section: B, page: 5189.

Thesis (ED.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER, 1991.

School code: 0188.