Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2006. / Title from title screen (site viewed on Mar. 13, 2007). PDF text: xv, 250 p. : ill. UMI publication number: AAT 3222555. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm, microfiche and paper format.

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was threefold: (a) to assess the relationships between boundary ambiguity, spirituality, marital relationship quality, and caregiver strain and depression among older African American spousal caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD); (b) to identify which variables are the best predictors of caregiver strain; and (c) to identify which variables are the best predictors of depression. The sample consisted of 25 female and 15 male spouses, who were ages 60 to 87. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. Marital relationship quality was correlated with the two dependent variables, caregiver strain and depression. In hierarchical multiple regression, a model containing gender, years since spouse’s diagnosis with AD and marital relationship quality predicted 40% of the variance in caregiver strain. Marital relationship quality was the only significant predictor for depression. The model containing marital relationship quality predicted 22% of the variance in depression. Additional findings were that participants scored high on the spirituality measure, that years since diagnosis of AD was negatively correlated with boundary ambiguity, spirituality, and caregiver strain, that there was a significant decrease in the quality of the marital relationship since the spouse became a caregiver, and that almost half had no help with caregiving. There was limited support for the proposed conceptual model, therefore, a revised model was proposed. Based on the study results, in dealing with spouses who are providing caregiving to AD patients, nurses need to assess the quality of the marital relationship, and to recognize that the longer the spouse is a caregiver the greater the strain and depression, and that community resources need to be mobilized to assist the spouse with caregiving. A depression screen and marital assessment may provide cues regarding psychosocial needs of spousal caregivers.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Case Western Reserve University, 2009. / Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Open University. BLDSC no. DX184762.

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

It has been well documented that providing informal care for a person with a traumatic brain injury can be burdensome. The goal of this research was to discover the effects of two stressors, severity of daily hassles and distress caused by the behavioral problems exhibited by the person with the brain injury, and two supports, social support and income, on the caregiver burden and quality of life felt by caregivers.Data were collected using questionnaires sent via postal mail to members of the Brain Injury Associations of Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Each packet contained a demographic questionnaire, the Social Provisions Scale, the Head Injury Behavior Scale, the Daily Hassles Scale, the Caregiver Burden Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Ninety-one respondents returned usable protocols. Hierarchical regressions were utilized to analyze the data.When controlling for demographic variables, stressors were found to account for a statistically significant proportion of the variance in subjective caregiver burden but not in satisfaction with life. When controlling for both demographic variables and stressors, supports were not found to significantly predict either subjective burden or satisfaction with life. Upon further investigation, it was found that behavioral distress was most predictive of caregiver burden and the severity of daily hassles was the next most predictive variable of burden.This research was limited by the Midwest location of the participants and their lack of ethnic and gender diversity. Additionally, each respondent had access to support groups and they all had time to fill out the questionnaires. It is likely the case that many caregivers do not have this kind of support or the time to complete unnecessary paperwork. Finally, all of the factors affecting burden and quality of life for caregivers could not possibly be accounted for. Future research should account for a more diverse group of caregivers and assess some of the less frequently researched predictors. Scales more specific to caring for a person with a brain injury could be developed and utilized to explore sources of satisfaction for caregivers. Finally, more attention could be paid to the overall quality of life of caregivers. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

<p>The aim of this explorative study was to understand the experiences and challenges of primary caregivers providing palliative care to women with advanced breast cancer. This study was conducted within a qualitative research design framework underpinned by phenomenology. The significance of this study was to contribute to the knowledge that would help care professionals understand the experiences and challenges that primary caregivers face whilst providing palliative care to women with advanced breast cancer.</p>

This study, completed in 2008, aims to address gaps in the literature on caring concerning the reluctance of CALD communities in Australia to use formal care. It hypothesises that broader cultural considerations, rather than merely language barriers and lack of information, are responsible for the preference of CALD communities for informal care. The literature on caring, mediated by certain aspects of Bourdieu??s habitus, is employed as a conceptual framework to analyse the informal and formal strategies employed by carers from the Italian and Greek speaking communities. The study concludes that habitus, informed by cultural factors, influences both the means of access to formal care and the type of formal care acceptable to these communities but differs between communities and between generations within each community. However,second and third order influences can lead to modification of habitus and caring strategies

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2005.