Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Dimensional Analysis Of Caregiver Burden Among Spouses And Adult-Children, Marie Savundranayagam, R. Montgomery, K. Kosloski

Marie Y Savundranayagam

Purpose of the study: Caregiver burden is a multidimensional construct, addressing tension and anxiety (stress burden), changes in dyadic relationships (relationship burden), and time infringements (objective burden) resulting from caregiving. The study aims were to assess (a) whether the dimensions of burden were the same for caregiving spouses and adult children, (b) the role of assisting with problem behaviors (PBs) and activities of daily living (ADLs) on each dimension of burden, and (c) the role of each dimension of burden on self-rated health and intention to institutionalize the care receiver. Design and Methods: This study included 280 spouse/partner and 243 …

Impact Of A Psychoeducational Program On Three Types Of Caregiver Burden Among Spouses, Marie Savundranayagam, R. Montgomery, K. Kosloski, T. Little

Marie Y Savundranayagam

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which a psychoeducational intervention called “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” (PTC) influences burden of spouse caregivers. Specifically, this study examined whether spouse caregivers who attended PTC exhibited reductions in stress burden, relationship burden, and objective burden compared to a comparison group.

Design and Methods The 6 week intervention used a self-efficacy framework to train caregivers to focus on self-care, communicate effectively, and manage emotions. This quasi-experimental study included 115 participants from the PTC group and 95 participants from a comparison group. Assessments were completed before and after the …

Characteristics Of Creative Expression Activities: The Links Between Creativity, Failure-Free, And Group Process With Levels Of Staff-Participation Engagement And Participant Affect In An Adult Day Center, J. Rowe, Marie Savundranayagam, J. Lang, R. Montgomery

Marie Y Savundranayagam

No abstract provided.

Storycorps Memory Loss Initiative: Enhancing Personhood For Storytellers With Memory Loss, Marie Savundranayagam, L. Dilley, A. Basting

Marie Y Savundranayagam

StoryCorps’ Memory Loss Initiative was designed to gather oral histories of people with memory loss. This study investigated the StoryCorps interview experience for storytellers who self identify with early stage memory loss and the persons who interviewed them. StoryCorps interviews took place in Milwaukee, Chicago, and New York. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 42 persons with memory loss, along with 27 family members who participated in the StoryCorps interviews. Results revealed that the StoryCorps experience was a meaningful activity that allowed participants to acknowledge the beauty of the present moment, to reflect and engage in meaningful conversations, to re-affirm both …

Relationships Between Appraisals Of Caregiver Communication Strategies And Burden Among Spouses And Adult-Children, Marie Savundranayagam, J. Orange

Marie Y Savundranayagam

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of caregivers’ appraisals of the effectiveness of their own communication strategies on caregiver burden when caring for family members with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Family caregivers (N = 84) of participants with AD completed questionnaires appraising communication strategies, problem behaviors, and levels of three types of burden.

Results: Hierarchical linear regression models revealed that effective strategies and kinship status were significantly linked with stress burden, whereas effective strategies and problem behaviors were significantly related to relationship burden. Cognitive status of participants with AD significantly predicted objective burden. Caregivers who …

Testing Self-Efficacy As A Pathway That Supports Self Care Among Family Caregivers In A Psychoeducational Intervention, Marie Savundranayagam, M. Brintnall-Peterson

Marie Y Savundranayagam

This study investigated the extent to which a psychoeducational intervention supports family-centered care by influencing health risk and self-care behaviors of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (N = 325). Moreover, this study investigated the extent to which changes in self-efficacy explained changes in health risk and self-care behaviors. Data were analyzed using repeated measures and multivariate analysis of variance and multiple regression. Qualitative written accounts of the impact of the intervention augmented the quantitative findings. The study's findings revealed that family caregivers experienced reductions in health risk behaviors and improvements in exercise, stress management, and relaxation activities as a …

Impact Of Role Discrepancies On Caregiver Burden Among Spouses, Marie Savundranayagam, R. Montgomery

Marie Y Savundranayagam

Using caregiver identity theory, the authors investigated whether role discrepancies mediated the relationships between illness-related stressors (activities of daily living [ADLs] limitations and problem behaviors) and burden (stress, relationship, and objective burden) for spouse caregivers. Participants completed measures of identity standards for spouse and caregiver roles and behaviors, burden, assistance with ADLs, and problem behaviors. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed that role discrepancies completely mediated the relationships between ADLs and stress and relationship burden. Although role discrepancies mediated the relationships between problem behaviors and all forms of burden, there were direct relationships between problem behaviors and burden. Finally, participants who …

Social Psychological Aspects Of Communication And Aging, Marie Savundranayagam, E. Ryan

Marie Y Savundranayagam

Language plays an important role in defining identities in older adulthood. Both self-perception and others' perceptions of older adults are reflected through language used by older and younger adults (see recent texts: de Bot & Makoni, 2005; Harwood, 2007; Hummert & Nussbaum, 2001; Nussbaum & Coupland, 2004). In this review, we outline key theoretical perspectives on the study of communication with older adults and provide evidence supporting these perspectives within the context of age stereotypes, intergenerational communication, cross-cultural communication, and health care encounters. Given that communication is an interactive process, we discuss how older adults use language and communication to …

Investigating The Effects Of Communication Problems On Caregiver Burden, Marie Savundranayagam, M. Hummert, R. Montgomery

Marie Y Savundranayagam

Objectives. The goal of this study was to explore the relationship between communication problems associated with dementia and caregiver burden, within the context of problem behaviors and cognitive and functional abilities of the care recipient.

Methods. A scale on communication problems associated with dementia was developed and administered to 89 family caregivers. Participants also completed measures of care-recipient cognitive and functional status, problem behavior, and caregiver burden (demand, stress, and objective burden).

Results. Analyses using structural equation modeling showed that care-recipient cognitive and functional status indirectly predicted problem behaviors via communication problems. The status indicators also directly predicted demand burden. …