Stress proliferation in caregivers: the relationships between caregiving stressors and deterioration in family relationships

Christina Knussen*, Debbie Tolson, Iain R.C. Swan, David J. Stott, Clare A. Brogan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)207-221
Number of pages15
JournalPsychology and Health
Volume20
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Apr 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Caregiving stressors
  • Hearing impairment
  • Stress proliferation

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