Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in:

20-07-2017

Internal resources among informal caregivers: trajectories and associations with well-being

Auteurs: Kristin Litzelman, Gina Tesauro, Rebecca Ferrer

Gepubliceerd in: Quality of Life Research | Uitgave 12/2017

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Purpose

The experiences, skills, and internal resources that informal caregivers bring into their role may play a critical part in their mental health and well-being. This study examined how caregiver internal resources changed over a 10 year period, and how this was related to caregivers’ well-being.

Methods

Data are from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, a national sample of adults, at two time points: 1995–1996 (T1) and 2004–2006 (T2). We identified subjects who reported being a caregiver at T2 and starting care after T1 (mean age = 56; 65% female). We examined internal resources: sense of control (personal mastery); primary and secondary control strategies (persistence in goal striving, positive reappraisal, and lowering expectations); and social support seeking, and psychological and subjective well-being. We evaluated how internal resources changed over time, and how these trajectories were associated with well-being at T2 using multivariable linear regressions.

Results

Most caregivers had stable levels of internal resources (between 4 and 13% showed an increase or decrease). Caregivers with increasing or high-stable levels of personal mastery had significantly better well-being scores on 6 out of 8 subscales compared with low-stable levels [effect sizes (ES) between 0.39 and 0.79]. Increasing persistence was associated with better personal growth and environmental mastery (ES = 0.96 and 0.91), and increasing and high-stable positive reappraisals were associated with better affect (ES = 0.63 and 0.48) compared with low-stable levels. Lowering aspirations and support seeking were not associated with well-being outcomes.

Conclusions

Practices or interventions that support or improve internal resources could potentially improve caregiver well-being.
Bijlagen
Alleen toegankelijk voor geautoriseerde gebruikers
Literatuur
1.
go back to reference Lloyd, J., Patterson, T., & Muers, J. (2016). The positive aspects of caregiving in dementia: A critical review of the qualitative literature. Dementia, 15(6), 1534–1561.CrossRefPubMed Lloyd, J., Patterson, T., & Muers, J. (2016). The positive aspects of caregiving in dementia: A critical review of the qualitative literature. Dementia, 15(6), 1534–1561.CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Cohen, C. A., Colantonio, A., & Vernich, L. (2002). Positive aspects of caregiving: Rounding out the caregiver experience. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17(2), 184–188.CrossRefPubMed Cohen, C. A., Colantonio, A., & Vernich, L. (2002). Positive aspects of caregiving: Rounding out the caregiver experience. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17(2), 184–188.CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Litzelman, K., Skinner, H. G., Gangnon, R. E., Nieto, F. J., Malecki, K., & Witt, W. P. (2014). Role of global stress in the health-related quality of life of caregivers: Evidence from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin. Quality of Life Research, 23(5), 1569–1578.CrossRefPubMed Litzelman, K., Skinner, H. G., Gangnon, R. E., Nieto, F. J., Malecki, K., & Witt, W. P. (2014). Role of global stress in the health-related quality of life of caregivers: Evidence from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin. Quality of Life Research, 23(5), 1569–1578.CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Pinquart, M., & Sorensen, S. (2003). Differences between caregivers and noncaregivers in psychological health and physical health: A meta-analysis. Psychology and Aging, 18(2), 250–267.CrossRefPubMed Pinquart, M., & Sorensen, S. (2003). Differences between caregivers and noncaregivers in psychological health and physical health: A meta-analysis. Psychology and Aging, 18(2), 250–267.CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Cummins, R. A., & Wooden, M. (2014). Personal resilience in times of crisis: The implications of SWB homeostasis and set-points. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(1), 223–235.CrossRef Cummins, R. A., & Wooden, M. (2014). Personal resilience in times of crisis: The implications of SWB homeostasis and set-points. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(1), 223–235.CrossRef
6.
go back to reference Luthans, F., Avolio, B. J., Avey, J. B., & Norman, S. M. (2007). Positive psychological capital: Measurement and relationship with performance and satisfaction. Personnel Psychology, 60(3), 541–572.CrossRef Luthans, F., Avolio, B. J., Avey, J. B., & Norman, S. M. (2007). Positive psychological capital: Measurement and relationship with performance and satisfaction. Personnel Psychology, 60(3), 541–572.CrossRef
7.
go back to reference Yi-Frazier, J. P., Smith, R. E., Vitaliano, P. P., Yi, J. C., Mai, S., Hillman, M., et al. (2010). A person-focused analysis of resilience resources and coping in diabetes patients. Stress Health, 26(1), 51–60.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Yi-Frazier, J. P., Smith, R. E., Vitaliano, P. P., Yi, J. C., Mai, S., Hillman, M., et al. (2010). A person-focused analysis of resilience resources and coping in diabetes patients. Stress Health, 26(1), 51–60.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
8.
go back to reference Masten, A. S. (2007). Resilience in developing systems: Progress and promise as the fourth wave rises. Development and Psychopathology, 19(3), 921–930.CrossRefPubMed Masten, A. S. (2007). Resilience in developing systems: Progress and promise as the fourth wave rises. Development and Psychopathology, 19(3), 921–930.CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Pearlin, L. I., Mullan, J. T., Semple, S. J., & Skaff, M. M. (1990). Caregiving and the stress process—an overview of concepts and their measures. Gerontologist, 30(5), 583–594.CrossRefPubMed Pearlin, L. I., Mullan, J. T., Semple, S. J., & Skaff, M. M. (1990). Caregiving and the stress process—an overview of concepts and their measures. Gerontologist, 30(5), 583–594.CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Goode, K. T., Haley, W. E., Roth, D. L., & Ford, G. R. (1998). Predicting longitudinal changes in caregiver physical and mental health: A stress process model. Health Psychology, 17(2), 190–198.CrossRefPubMed Goode, K. T., Haley, W. E., Roth, D. L., & Ford, G. R. (1998). Predicting longitudinal changes in caregiver physical and mental health: A stress process model. Health Psychology, 17(2), 190–198.CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference O’Rourke, N., Kupferschmidt, A. L., Claxton, A., Smith, J. Z., Chappell, N., & Beattie, B. L. (2010). Psychological resilience predicts depressive symptoms among spouses of persons with Alzheimer disease over time. Aging & Mental Health, 14(8), 984–993.CrossRef O’Rourke, N., Kupferschmidt, A. L., Claxton, A., Smith, J. Z., Chappell, N., & Beattie, B. L. (2010). Psychological resilience predicts depressive symptoms among spouses of persons with Alzheimer disease over time. Aging & Mental Health, 14(8), 984–993.CrossRef
13.
go back to reference Hajek, A., & Konig, H. H. (2016). Informal caregiving and subjective well-being: evidence of a population-based longitudinal study of older adults in Germany. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 17(4), 300–305.CrossRefPubMed Hajek, A., & Konig, H. H. (2016). Informal caregiving and subjective well-being: evidence of a population-based longitudinal study of older adults in Germany. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 17(4), 300–305.CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Joshanloo, M. (2016). Revisiting the empirical distinction between hedonic and eudaimonic aspects of well-being using exploratory structural equation modeling. Journal of Happiness Studies, 17(5), 2023–2036.CrossRef Joshanloo, M. (2016). Revisiting the empirical distinction between hedonic and eudaimonic aspects of well-being using exploratory structural equation modeling. Journal of Happiness Studies, 17(5), 2023–2036.CrossRef
15.
go back to reference Henderson, L. W., & Knight, T. (2012). Integrating the hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives to more comprehensively understand wellbeing and pathways to wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing. doi:10.5502/ijw.v2i3.3. Henderson, L. W., & Knight, T. (2012). Integrating the hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives to more comprehensively understand wellbeing and pathways to wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing. doi:10.​5502/​ijw.​v2i3.​3.
16.
go back to reference Ryff, C. D., Radler, B. T., & Friedman, E. M. (2015). Persistent psychological well-being predicts improved self-rated health over 9–10 years: Longitudinal evidence from MIDUS. Health Psychol Open, 2(2), 2055102915601582.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Ryff, C. D., Radler, B. T., & Friedman, E. M. (2015). Persistent psychological well-being predicts improved self-rated health over 9–10 years: Longitudinal evidence from MIDUS. Health Psychol Open, 2(2), 2055102915601582.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
17.
go back to reference Friedman, E. M., & Ryff, C. D. (2012). Living well with medical comorbidities: A biopsychosocial perspective. Journals of Gerontology Series B, 67(5), 535–544.CrossRef Friedman, E. M., & Ryff, C. D. (2012). Living well with medical comorbidities: A biopsychosocial perspective. Journals of Gerontology Series B, 67(5), 535–544.CrossRef
18.
go back to reference Brim, O. G., Ryff, C. D., & Kessler, R. C. (2004). The MIDUS National Survey: An overview. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Brim, O. G., Ryff, C. D., & Kessler, R. C. (2004). The MIDUS National Survey: An overview. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
19.
go back to reference MIDUS. (2007). Mid-life in the United States: A National Study of Health and Well-being. Madison: UW Institute on Aging. MIDUS. (2007). Mid-life in the United States: A National Study of Health and Well-being. Madison: UW Institute on Aging.
20.
go back to reference Persoskie, A., Ferrer, R. A., Nelson, W. L., & Klein, W. M. (2014). Precancer risk perceptions predict postcancer subjective well-being. Health Psychology, 33(9), 1023–1032.CrossRefPubMed Persoskie, A., Ferrer, R. A., Nelson, W. L., & Klein, W. M. (2014). Precancer risk perceptions predict postcancer subjective well-being. Health Psychology, 33(9), 1023–1032.CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Luhmann, M., Hofmann, W., Eid, M., & Lucas, R. E. (2012). Subjective well-being and adaptation to life events: a meta-analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102(3), 592–615.CrossRefPubMed Luhmann, M., Hofmann, W., Eid, M., & Lucas, R. E. (2012). Subjective well-being and adaptation to life events: a meta-analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102(3), 592–615.CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference UW-Madison Institute on Aging. (2009). National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), 1995–1996: Documentation of Scales and Constructed Variables in MIDUS 1. Ann Arbor: Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research. UW-Madison Institute on Aging. (2009). National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), 1995–1996: Documentation of Scales and Constructed Variables in MIDUS 1. Ann Arbor: Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research.
23.
go back to reference UW-Madison Institute on Aging. (2010). Documentation of psychosocial constructs and composite variables in MIDUS II Project 1. Ann Arbor: Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research. UW-Madison Institute on Aging. (2010). Documentation of psychosocial constructs and composite variables in MIDUS II Project 1. Ann Arbor: Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research.
24.
go back to reference Brim, O., Baltes, P., Bumpass, L., Cleary, P., Featherman, D., Hazzard, W., et al. (2011). National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), 1995–1996. ICPSR02760–v8. Ann Arbor: Inter–university Consortium for Political and Social Research. Brim, O., Baltes, P., Bumpass, L., Cleary, P., Featherman, D., Hazzard, W., et al. (2011). National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), 1995–1996. ICPSR02760–v8. Ann Arbor: Inter–university Consortium for Political and Social Research.
25.
go back to reference Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069.CrossRef Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069.CrossRef
26.
go back to reference Lachman, M. E., & Weaver, S. L. (1998). The sense of control as a moderator of social class differences in health and well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(3), 763–773.CrossRefPubMed Lachman, M. E., & Weaver, S. L. (1998). The sense of control as a moderator of social class differences in health and well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(3), 763–773.CrossRefPubMed
27.
go back to reference Lachman, M. E., & Weaver, S. L. (1997). The Midlife Development Inventory (MIDI) personality scales: Scale construction and scoring. Waltham: Brandeis University. Lachman, M. E., & Weaver, S. L. (1997). The Midlife Development Inventory (MIDI) personality scales: Scale construction and scoring. Waltham: Brandeis University.
28.
go back to reference Ferrer-i-Carbonell, A., & Frijters, P. (2004). How important is methodology for the estimates of the determinants of happiness? The Economic Journal, 114(497), 641–659.CrossRef Ferrer-i-Carbonell, A., & Frijters, P. (2004). How important is methodology for the estimates of the determinants of happiness? The Economic Journal, 114(497), 641–659.CrossRef
29.
go back to reference Barnett, A. G., van der Pols, J. C., & Dobson, A. J. (2005). Regression to the mean: What it is and how to deal with it. International Journal of Epidemiology, 34(1), 215–220.CrossRefPubMed Barnett, A. G., van der Pols, J. C., & Dobson, A. J. (2005). Regression to the mean: What it is and how to deal with it. International Journal of Epidemiology, 34(1), 215–220.CrossRefPubMed
30.
go back to reference Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc. Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc.
31.
go back to reference Ryff, C. D. (2014). Psychological well-being revisited: Advances in the science and practice of eudaimonia. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 83(1), 10–28.CrossRefPubMed Ryff, C. D. (2014). Psychological well-being revisited: Advances in the science and practice of eudaimonia. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 83(1), 10–28.CrossRefPubMed
32.
go back to reference Wrosch, C., Scheier, M. F., Miller, G. E., Schulz, R., & Carver, C. S. (2003). Adaptive self-regulation of unattainable goals: Goal disengagement, goal reengagement, and subjective well-being. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29(12), 1494–1508.CrossRefPubMed Wrosch, C., Scheier, M. F., Miller, G. E., Schulz, R., & Carver, C. S. (2003). Adaptive self-regulation of unattainable goals: Goal disengagement, goal reengagement, and subjective well-being. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29(12), 1494–1508.CrossRefPubMed
33.
go back to reference Wrosch, C., Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., & Schulz, R. (2003). The importance of goal disengagement in adaptive self-regulation: When giving up is beneficial. Self and Identity, 2(1), 1–20.CrossRef Wrosch, C., Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., & Schulz, R. (2003). The importance of goal disengagement in adaptive self-regulation: When giving up is beneficial. Self and Identity, 2(1), 1–20.CrossRef
34.
go back to reference Rasmussen, H. N., Wrosch, C., Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (2006). Self-regulation processes and health: The importance of optimism and goal adjustment. Journal of Personality, 74(6), 1721–1747.CrossRefPubMed Rasmussen, H. N., Wrosch, C., Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (2006). Self-regulation processes and health: The importance of optimism and goal adjustment. Journal of Personality, 74(6), 1721–1747.CrossRefPubMed
35.
go back to reference Wrosch, C., Heckhausen, J., & Lachman, M. E. (2000). Primary and secondary control strategies for managing health and financial stress across adulthood. Psychology and Aging, 15(3), 387–399.CrossRefPubMed Wrosch, C., Heckhausen, J., & Lachman, M. E. (2000). Primary and secondary control strategies for managing health and financial stress across adulthood. Psychology and Aging, 15(3), 387–399.CrossRefPubMed
36.
go back to reference Rayan, A., & Ahmad, M. (2016). Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on quality of life and positive reappraisal coping among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 55, 185–196.CrossRefPubMed Rayan, A., & Ahmad, M. (2016). Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on quality of life and positive reappraisal coping among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 55, 185–196.CrossRefPubMed
37.
go back to reference Gerzina, H. A., & Porfeli, E. J. (2012). Mindfulness as a predictor of positive reappraisal and burnout in standardized patients. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 24(4), 309–314.CrossRefPubMed Gerzina, H. A., & Porfeli, E. J. (2012). Mindfulness as a predictor of positive reappraisal and burnout in standardized patients. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 24(4), 309–314.CrossRefPubMed
39.
go back to reference Astin, J. A. (1997). Stress reduction through mindfulness meditation—effects on psychological symptomatology, sense of control, and spiritual experiences. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 66(2), 97–106.CrossRefPubMed Astin, J. A. (1997). Stress reduction through mindfulness meditation—effects on psychological symptomatology, sense of control, and spiritual experiences. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 66(2), 97–106.CrossRefPubMed
40.
go back to reference Bremault-Phillips, S., Parmar, J., Johnson, M., Huhn, A., Mann, A., Tian, V., et al. (2016). The voices of family caregivers of seniors with chronic conditions: A window into their experience using a qualitative design. Springerplus, 5(1), 1–11.CrossRef Bremault-Phillips, S., Parmar, J., Johnson, M., Huhn, A., Mann, A., Tian, V., et al. (2016). The voices of family caregivers of seniors with chronic conditions: A window into their experience using a qualitative design. Springerplus, 5(1), 1–11.CrossRef
41.
go back to reference Toms, G. R., Quinn, C., Anderson, D. E., & Clare, L. (2015). Help yourself: Perspectives on self-management from people with dementia and their caregivers. Qualitative Health Research, 25(1), 87–98.CrossRefPubMed Toms, G. R., Quinn, C., Anderson, D. E., & Clare, L. (2015). Help yourself: Perspectives on self-management from people with dementia and their caregivers. Qualitative Health Research, 25(1), 87–98.CrossRefPubMed
42.
go back to reference Bolier, L., Haverman, M., Westerhof, G. J., Riper, H., Smit, F., & Bohlmeijer, E. (2013). Positive psychology interventions: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. BMC Public Health, 13(1), 119.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Bolier, L., Haverman, M., Westerhof, G. J., Riper, H., Smit, F., & Bohlmeijer, E. (2013). Positive psychology interventions: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. BMC Public Health, 13(1), 119.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
43.
go back to reference Friedman, E. M., Ruini, C., Foy, R., Jaros, L., Sampson, H., & Ryff, C. D. (2015). Lighten UP! A community-based group intervention to promote psychological well-being in older adults. Aging Mental Health, 21(2), 1–7. Friedman, E. M., Ruini, C., Foy, R., Jaros, L., Sampson, H., & Ryff, C. D. (2015). Lighten UP! A community-based group intervention to promote psychological well-being in older adults. Aging Mental Health, 21(2), 1–7.
44.
go back to reference Quinlan, D., Swain, N., & Vella-Brodrick, D. A. (2012). Character strengths interventions: Building on what we know for improved outcomes. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13(6), 1145–1163.CrossRef Quinlan, D., Swain, N., & Vella-Brodrick, D. A. (2012). Character strengths interventions: Building on what we know for improved outcomes. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13(6), 1145–1163.CrossRef
45.
go back to reference Mollica, M., Litzelman, K., Rowland, J., & Kent, E. (2017). Training informal cancer caregivers in medical tasks is associated with improved confidence and reduced burden. Cancer (in press). Mollica, M., Litzelman, K., Rowland, J., & Kent, E. (2017). Training informal cancer caregivers in medical tasks is associated with improved confidence and reduced burden. Cancer (in press).
46.
go back to reference Nickell, S. (1981). Biases in dynamic models with fixed effects. Econometrica, 49, 1417–1426.CrossRef Nickell, S. (1981). Biases in dynamic models with fixed effects. Econometrica, 49, 1417–1426.CrossRef
Metagegevens
Titel
Internal resources among informal caregivers: trajectories and associations with well-being
Auteurs
Kristin Litzelman
Gina Tesauro
Rebecca Ferrer
Publicatiedatum
20-07-2017
Uitgeverij
Springer International Publishing
Gepubliceerd in
Quality of Life Research / Uitgave 12/2017
Print ISSN: 0962-9343
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2649
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-017-1647-9