ABSTRACT
Researchers who study family caregiving have begun to recognize the need to broaden the realm of inquiry to include the exploration of the positive aspects of caregiving as well as conceptualizing caregiving on a continuum from the pre-caregiving phase through the post-caregiving phase. Additionally, researchers are urged to use control groups in research. This study complements the current trends by examining the positive aspects of caregiving among former caregivers. Specifically, the well-being of post-caregivers is compared to that of noncaregivers. Bivariate analyses examine the factors that are significantly different between former caregivers and noncaregivers. Results show that former caregivers have higher well-being than noncaregivers. In the multivariate model, only one subscale of well-being (basic needs) is different between the two groups. Implications of this research are discussed.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Alzheimer Disease/psychology , Caregivers/psychology , Quality of Life , Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Adult , Aged , Alzheimer Disease/therapy , Anxiety/diagnosis , Anxiety/psychology , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/psychology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Grief , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Personality InventoryABSTRACT
The Caregiver Well-Being Scale measures caregiver well-being from a strengths-based perspective by assessing caregivers' basic human needs and satisfaction with activities of daily living. This article revisits the scale to examine further the scale's psychometric properties using a caregiver-only sample. Reliability is determined through internal consistency. Construct validity is supported through factorial validity with factor analysis. Criterion-related validity is established by examining the concurrent validity of the Well-Being Scale with a measure of depression. Using a sample of family caregivers, results suggest that the Well-Being Scale is a valid and reliable measure.
Subject(s)
Caregivers , Activities of Daily Living , Black or African American , Aged , Caregivers/psychology , Data Collection , Education , Employment , Female , Humans , Male , Marital Status , Mental Health , Middle Aged , Psychometrics , Research , Social Work , Stress, Psychological/diagnosis , Surveys and Questionnaires , White PeopleABSTRACT
Family caregiving creates challenges and gains for professionals and family members involved in the caregiving arrangement. Caregiver well-being, in particular, is a complex and multidimensional concept for case managers as they engage in assessment, measurement and intervention planning. This article describes a blending of concepts--case management, strengths model and caregiver well-being--and presents applications of this integrated practice framework. The Caregiver Well-Being Scale is discussed as a tool for use in case management with elders and their family caregivers. Case scenarios derived from a strengths-based practice perspective are presented as examples of ways in which the Scale can be integrated into case management practice. Implications for programmatic use are also highlighted.
