The Role of Preparedness for Caregiving on the Relationship Between Caregiver Distress and Potentially Harmful Behaviors.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Hancock D, Czaja S, Schulz R
Journal Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen
Volume 37
Pagination 15333175221141552
Date Published 01/01/2022
ISSN 1938-2731
Keywords Caregivers, Emotions
Abstract This work extends research suggesting a link between indicators of distress among informal caregivers (CG) (e.g., depression and burden), and potentially harmful behaviors (PHB), including feeling like yelling or screaming at the care recipient (CR). We tested three hypotheses regarding the role of a novel predictor, CG preparedness for caregiving, which were: 1) a direct effect between CG preparedness and PHB, 2) CG distress mediates the relationship between the direct effect of CG preparedness on PHB, and finally, 3) CG preparedness is only related to PHB through their shared associations with indicators of caregiver distress, an indirect effects model. Examining two indicators of PHB and CG depression and CG burden, results supported the indirect effects model. Higher CG preparedness was associated with lower CG distress, which in turn was associated with lower risk of PHB. These findings highlight the importance of CG preparedness as a target for caregiver intervention research.
DOI 10.1177/15333175221141552
PubMed ID 36427169
PubMed Central ID PMC10581146
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