A total of 205 (113 male, 92 female) nonhospitalized recovering alcoholics with > 3 months of continuous abstinence from alcohol and drugs and relatively heavy tobacco dependence (Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire score = 7.7; mean number of cigarettes per day, 26.8; mean number of years smoked, 24.4) were randomized to standard treatment (ST) American Lung Association quit program plus nicotine anonymous meetings (n = 70), behavioral counseling plus physical exercise (BEX; n = 72), or behavioral counseling plus nicotine gum (BNIC; n = 63). A 3 x 4 repeated measures design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions on smoking outcome at baseline, posttreatment, and 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Self-reported smoking status was verified with biochemical and informant report. Verified self-report indicated that significantly more smokers in BEX quit by posttreatment (60%) than in either BNIC (52%) or ST (31%), chi 2 (2, N = 205) = 17.85, p < .01, but not at the 6-month (29%, 27%, and 21%, respectively) or 12-month (27%, 27%, and 26%, respectively) follow-up. Only 4% (7 of 188) relapsed to alcohol or drugs. Alcohol relapse did not differ by treatment group or smoking status. Length of alcohol abstinence was not associated with smoking cessation outcome.

Adult children are a significant contingent of elder care providers; a number of these individuals simultaneously care for children of their own while coping with caregiving commitments. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of information regarding the caregiving impact on these children and young adults. Moreover, the possible positive consequences of caring for an impaired elder are rarely mentioned. The current study was undertaken to examine the potential positive caregiving experiences of adolescents and their perceptions of relational enhancement as a result of caregiving. Twenty adolescents aged 14-18 were interviewed and asked a series of semistructured questions concerning satisfaction related to caregiving. To be included, respondents had to be a child, grandchild, or niece/nephew of an Alzheimer's (or Alzheimer's Type Dementia) patient cared for by the adolescent's immediate family. Employing features of content analysis methodology, all interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The results merged into four primary categories: 1) increased sibling activity/sharing; 2) greater empathy for older adults; 3) significant mother-adolescent bonding and 4) peer relationship selection and maintenance. The implications for future research and practice are discussed.

1. Regardless of gender, caregivers readily relinquish personal activities in order to perform caregiving tasks. 2. Caregivers seldom solicit assistance from other family members. 3. Caregivers experience difficulty balancing caregiving with outside employment and significantly reduce work hours or cease employment altogether.

The burden of caregiver stress has been well documented in the literature. While attention has been paid to caregiving spouses and adult children, few studies have examined the impact offamily caregiving on adolescents. With the rise in adult child caregivers simultaneously raising children of their own, increasingly greater numbers of young adults will be involved in caring for Alzheimer's type dementia (ATD) victims. This study examined the characteristics and experiences of these young adults. Specifically, 14 adolescents aged 14-18 were interviewed and asked a series of semi-structured questions regarding theirfeelings ofburden and satisfaction as they related to caregiving.Employing features of content analysis methodology, all interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed. The results merged intofive primary categories:

Interacting with terminally-ill patients is significantly stressful for caregiving families. To date, few studies have examined how caregivers perceive their communication with dying family members. As such, the present investigation was undertaken. A sample of 10 family caregivers was utilized for the study; informants had to be the spouse or child of the patient, having provided the majority of care during the illness period. Semi-structured interviews were employed by the investigator to collect data on the communicative experiences of these caregivers; they were asked to describe their thoughts and interactional experiences with specific reference to the following: (1) the inevitability of the patient's death, (2) the patient's preferred courses of action, (3) levels of family interaction, (4) patient denial, (5) previous patterns of discourse, and (6) bereavement. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a two-tier system incorporating aspects of content analysis methodology. Results indicate that caregivers experience difficulty communicating with their patients and with other family members. Suggestions for developing effective, appropriate, and sensitive communication training programs for terminally-ill patients and their caregiving families are provided.