Abstract
The nature and outcome of family caregiving are different for various racial and ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to use qualitative methods to examine and characterize family networks of African American family caregivers (n = 26) who provided care to family members living with dementia (n = 18). We used data generated from a parent study that addressed family involvement in health promotion activities for African American older adults with dementia. Analysis of data using sociograms and thematic analysis identified three themes that characterized these African American family caregiving networks: 1) complexity; 2) familism; and 3) religiosity. The findings suggest that narrowly defining family caregivers as dyads of caregiver and care recipient does not reflect how these family networks function. A better understanding of the complex functioning of these networks may help explain physical and psychological well-being outcomes for persons living with dementia and their family members.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
