Chapter 12 - Clinical Interventions and Caregiving Careers

Abstract

This chapter discusses two primary ways of clinical interventions and caregiving careers. Basic concepts, such as individual differences in response to similar situations, can guide how clinicians think about, plan, and assess interventions for family caregivers. The primary goals for intervention are reducing stress proliferation and increasing stress containment. Determining optimal methods of attaining these goals is a complex task given the unremitting demands on caregivers and the wide range of individual differences in how caregivers respond to these demands. Theories and research strategies are useful for highlighting key processes and examining their relationships to one another. Concerted clinical interventions are needed to improve the circumstances of both patient and caregiver. Creative partnerships among families, clinicians, and researchers can yield valuable information about new directions for intervention.