Types Of Family Caregivers Research Articles

SOCIAL NETWORK AND CAREGIVING EXPERIENCE AMONG SPOUSE AND ADULT-CHILD DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS: A MEDIATION ANALYSIS

Abstract Evidence on differences in social network and their roles in associations between types of family caregivers and caregiving experience is limited. Based on the stress process model (SPM), we aimed to explore the different levels and interactions of social network and caregiving experience among spouses and adult-child caregivers. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on a total of 146 dementia family caregivers (78 adult-child, and 68 spouses) in China. Data collection comprised four sections: (a) care-related stressors, (b) caregivers’ context, (c) social network using Lubben social network scale, and caregiving experience using short-form Zarit burden interview, and nine-item positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) scale. Linear regression, mediation model analysis, and interactive analysis were performed to explore associations between variables. Spouses experienced lower social network (β= -0.294, P=0.008) and higher PAC (β= 0.234, P=0.003) than adult-child caregivers, whereas no significant difference was found in caregiver burden between two groups. Mediation analysis suggested that associations between caregiver type and caregiver burden were indirect-only mediation effects by social network(β=0.140, 95%CI=0.066 to 0.228). The mediation effect of social network on caregiver type and PAC was the suppressing effect, and the interaction effect was significant (P for interaction =0.025). A higher social network was associated with higher positive aspects of caregiving among the spouse subgroup (β= 0.341, P=0.003). Social networks mediate responses to caregiving experiences among different care provider types and are vital intervention targets, especially for spousal caregivers. Our results can serve as references for identifying caregivers for clinical intervention.

Dementia Simulation for Family Caregivers of Persons With Dementia: A Scoping Review.

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Persons with dementia receive substantial assistance from family caregivers over extended periods of time. Family caregivers of persons with dementia are twice as likely to report physical, emotional, and financial challenges related to caregiving compared with other types of family caregivers. Empathy has been demonstrated to improve caregivers' quality of life and their relationships with care recipients. This scoping review examines the current literature on the effects of dementia simulation on empathy levels in family caregivers of persons with dementia. A librarian-assisted search of 4 databases-PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), PsycINFO, and Scopus-was conducted. Key terms included "dementia," "family caregivers," and "simulation." To broaden reference retrieval, "empathy" was not used as a key term but remained an inclusion criterion during reference screening. Data extraction of relevant references was completed. The search yielded 212 citations. Seven eligible dementia simulation studies were identified, including 1 randomized controlled trial, 3 quasi-experimental studies, and 3 qualitative research studies. Only 3 of the 7 studies focused specifically on family caregivers of persons with dementia. Qualitative data supported increased empathy in family caregivers, but quantitative findings on changes in empathy levels were inconclusive. Further research using quantitative or mixed-methods designs is necessary to support benefits of simulation on empathy for family caregivers of persons with dementia.

Anticipatory Burden in Adult-Child Caregivers: A Concept Analysis.

This study aims to analyze the concept of anticipatory burden in adult-child caregivers. A systematic literature review was performed using four databases, Pubmed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Medline, with the keywords of “anticipatory burden” and “anticipated burden”. Simplified Wilson’s classic concept analysis modified by Walker and Avant was employed to identify the attributes, antecedents and consequences of anticipatory burden in the adult-child caregivers. Eighteen articles were analyzed. Attributes of anticipatory burden in adult-child caregivers were found to be: (1) subjective burden, (2) anticipation, (3) overestimation, (4) inability, and (5) family relationship. Antecedents were identified as: (1) potential care recipients, (2) caregiving willingness, and (3) a lack of resources. Consequences included: (1) prediction of caregiving willingness, (2) impacts on caregivers’ health, (3) intervention promotion, and (4) behavioral changes. As the adult-child caregiver is one of the main types of family caregivers for the fast-growing aging population, it is important to understand the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of their anticipatory burden. Based on the results of this study, resources such as intervention, policy, and counseling services are recommended to help adult-child caregivers lower their anticipatory burden and get better prepared for providing family care.

Psychological Distress and Social Support Availability in Different Family Caregivers of Latinas With Breast Cancer.

Introduction: Latinas with breast cancer draw on a diverse range of family members for informal care. Latin cultures typically prescribe high levels of support and care for an ill family member that leave caregivers vulnerable to compromised well-being. Method: In this cross-sectional survey study, 258 family caregivers of Latinas with breast cancer completed reports of psychological distress, availability of social support, and acculturation. Results: Mothers who provide care to a daughter with breast cancer experience higher levels of psychological distress and report lower availability of informational support than most other types of family caregivers. Mothers' lower levels of acculturation may at least partially explain these reductions in well-being. Discussion: This study highlights the diverse range of family and fictive kin who participate in family caregiving for Latina breast cancer survivors. Spousal caregivers may not represent a unique population, whereas mothers as caregivers are indeed distinct for their higher distress levels.

Types of Family Caregiving and Daily Experiences in Midlife and Late Adulthood: The Moderating Influences of Marital Status and Age.

Guided by the life-course perspective, this study contributes to the family caregiving, aging, and disability literature by examining the daily experiences of three types of family caregivers in midlife and late adulthood. A sample of 162 caregivers from the National Survey of Midlife in the United States study completed interviews, questionnaires, and a Daily Diary Study. Multilevel models showed the patterns of daily time use did not differ by caregiver types. Caregivers of sons/daughters with developmental disabilities (DD) experienced more daily stressors than caregivers of parents with health conditions (HC) and caregivers of spouses with HC. Unmarried caregivers of sons/daughters with DD reported spending more time on daily leisure activities and exhibited greater daily stressor exposure than other family caregivers. Age did not moderate the associations between caregiver types and daily experiences. Findings highlight the important consideration of the caregivers' characteristics to better determine the quality of their daily experiences in midlife and late adulthood.

Sleep in family caregivers of patients admitted to hospice: A pilot study

Caring for a dying family member is known to interfere with sleep, yet little is known about caregiver sleep once the patient is admitted to hospice. The aim of this pilot study was to describe the sleep of partners and other family caregivers of patients in hospice. The pilot study used a cross-sectional, descriptive, and comparative design. Participants included the primary family caregivers of patients recently admitted to a hospice in Norway. Caregiver sleep during the prior month was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). During the patient's hospice stay, caregiver sleep was measured using wrist actigraphy for four nights and three days. Twenty family caregivers (12 partners and 8 other relatives) completed the study protocol without difficulty. On the PSQI, most caregivers (n=13) reported clinically significant sleep problems during the prior month. Once the patient was admitted to hospice, actigraphy indicated that 10 caregivers had clinically significant sleep disruption (≥15% wake after sleep onset) and six averaged <7 hours of sleep per night. Partner caregivers reported more trouble falling asleep, and less sleep medication use, in the prior month than other types of family caregivers. However, once the patient was admitted to hospice, and after adjusting for caregiver age, partner caregivers experienced less sleep disruption than other caregivers. Findings demonstrate feasibility of the study protocol and indicate that sleep problems are common for caregivers of dying patients, even after the patient is admitted to hospice. The caregiver's relationship to the patient may be an important factor to consider in future studies.

Targeting Communication Interventions to Decrease Caregiver Burden

To describe family communication patterns that give shape to four types of family caregivers: Manager, Carrier, Partner, and Loner. Case studies of oncology family caregivers and hospice patients selected from data collected as part of a larger, randomized controlled trial aimed at assessing family participation in interdisciplinary team meetings. Each caregiver type demonstrates essential communication traits with nurses and team members; an ability to recognize these caregiver types will facilitate targeted interventions to decrease family oncology caregiver burden. By becoming familiar with caregiver types, oncology nurses will be better able to address family oncology caregiver burden and the conflicts arising from family communication challenges. With an understanding of family communication patterns and its impact on caregiver burden, nurses can aid the patient, family, and team to best optimize all quality-of-life domains for patient and family caregiver.

Sobrecarga de familiares de pacientes psiquiátricos: comparação entre diferentes tipos de cuidadores

OBJETIVO: Investigar a sobrecarga objetiva e subjetiva em três diferentes tipos de cuidadores. MÉTODO: A Escala de Avaliação da Sobrecarga de Familiares (FBIS-BR) foi aplicada a 30 pais, 30 irmãos e 30 cônjuges de pacientes diagnosticados com transtornos do espectro de esquizofrenia ou transtornos do humor. RESULTADOS: Sete itens apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os grupos. Os pais apresentaram maior sobrecarga do que os irmãos quanto à frequência com que preparavam as refeições dos pacientes e os aconselhavam a ocupar seu tempo livre. Sentiam também maior grau de incômodo por ter que fazer compras para eles e tinham impressão de maior peso financeiro. Comparativamente aos cônjuges, os pais tinham que lidar mais frequentemente com os comportamentos agressivos dos pacientes, tinham maiores gastos com eles e ainda eram mais preocupados com o seu futuro. Já a sobrecarga dos cônjuges foi maior do que a dos irmãos quanto à impressão de peso financeiro. CONCLUSÕES: As diferenças encontradas apontam para a necessidade de planejamento de intervenções que considerem as particularidades de cada tipo de cuidador.