Abstract
The aim of the present study is to examine the extent to which caregiving stressors could explain change in family relationships over time - a construct termed stress proliferation - in a secondary analysis of an existing database. The sample of caregivers and care recipients (N= 132) was drawn mainly from records held by general practitioners in Glasgow. Care recipients were aged 65 years and over, and the majority had impaired hearing. Caregivers were younger non-spouse relatives of care recipients. Using hierarchical multiple regression analysis, two Stressors were found to be significantly related to deterioration in family relationships over a period of six months, irrespective of change in caregiver distress: the care recipient's hearing disability (β= -0.21), and change in the caregiver's negative reactions to caregiving (β = -0.23). It was concluded that the care recipient's hearing disability and more negative reactions to caregiving were related to a deterioration in family relationships over time. The results highlight the need for further study in this area, with a view to informing intervention programmes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 207-221 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Psychology and Health |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 30 Apr 2005 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Caregiving stressors
- Hearing impairment
- Stress proliferation