Objectives: The PEAR (pleasant events-activity restriction) model has been proposed as a way of understanding leisure effects on de- mentia distress. Considering both the PEAR model and the stress and coping model, the purpose of this study was to analyze the po- tential of both frequency and satisfaction with leisure to explain distress (depression, anxiety and perceived health), risk of institutionaliza- tion of the care recipient, stressors and resources variables (ru- mination and cognitive reappraisal) in 275 caregivers. Methods: The sample was divided in four groups based on scores on frequency and satisfaction with leisure: LFLS = Low frequency + low satisfaction; LFHS = Low frequency and high satisfaction; HFLS = High frequency + low sat- isfaction; HFHS = High frequency + high satisfaction. Results: Results in- dicated that while caregivers from the HFHS group showed a generally more positive profile on resources variables, health outcomes and lower levels of risk of institutionalization compared with the other groups, care- givers from the LFLS group used significantly less adaptive emotional regulation strategies and showed worse consequences on health outcomes. Discussion: The results of this study suggest the importance of considering profile on frequency and satisfaction with leisure in order to un- derstand caregiving distress.