SELF-ESTEEM, DEPENDENT CARE TASKS, APPRAISAL, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, AND ADAPTATIONAL OUTCOMES IN FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF STROKE PATIENTS.
Contributors: Indiana University School of Nursing.
Published: 1996
Number of pages: 329
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Mental Health.; Sociology, Individual and Family Studies.; Psychology, Clinical.
Description: In the United States, approximately 106,000 stroke victims per year will become moderately disabled and require the assistance of family members to live at home (Podalsky, 1992). The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of caregiver emotional distress and caregiver adaptational outcomes, based on a conceptual model derived from Lazarus and colleagues' theory of stress and coping. Psychometric testing for the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale (BCOS) was performed as well.

A convenience sample of 104 family caregivers of stroke patients were interviewed in the home using items from Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, Caregiving Burden Scale, Appraisal of Caregiving Scale, Profile of Mood States SF, BCOS, SF-36 Health Survey, LIFE-3, Cognitive Status Scale, and a demographic and situational data form. Reliability of scales ranged from alpha =.64 to.89.

Psychometric testing of the BCOS resulted in the deletion of two items, yielding a 10 item scale (alpha =.77), that was significantly and moderately related to each of the predictor construct variables and the LIFE-3. Based on factor analysis, the BCOS was reconceptualized as measuring global well-being specific to caregiving, rather than adaptational outcomes as defined by Lazarus (1991). The physical functioning and general health SF-36 Health Survey subscales were added to measure adaptational outcomes.

One standard multiple regression predicting emotional distress (R$\sp2$ =.48, p $<$.001) and three hierarchical multiple regressions predicting adaptational outcomes: BCOS (R$\sp2$ =.45, p $<$.001), physical functioning (R$\sp2$ =.30, p $<$.001), general health (R$\sp2$ =.25, p $<$.001) were performed. Significant predictors of emotional distress were self-esteem, dependent-care task difficulty, and threat appraisal. Significant predictors of the BCOS were threat appraisal, benefit appraisal, and emotional distress. The only significant predictor of physical functioning was household income. Significant predictors of general health were whether caregiver lived with the patient, household income, and threat appraisal.

Intervention studies designed to enhance self-esteem, reduce difficulty with dependent-care tasks, and promote positive caregiver appraisal are recommended to alleviate emotional distress and improve adaptational outcomes in family caregivers of stroke patients.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-08, Section: B, page: 4973.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING, 1996.

School code: 0815.