Concept formation was compared in 71 parkinsonian patients and 35 controls matched for age and WAIS vebal IQ. It was found that the patients formed significantly fewer concepts, as measured by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). The patients had difficulties in shifting sets and were unable to attend to the completion of a concept. Levodopa-treated patients were able to produce more correct responses, but were still unable to maintain the correct responses to produce more correct concepts than non-levodopa-treated patients. The behavior of the parkinsonian patients on the WCST is similar to that of patients who have undergone frontal lobectomy. In addition, the results indicate that levodopa therapy may improve "vigilance", without increasing the patient's overall cognitive ability.

Family members caring for aging parents experience both negative and positive outcomes from providing care. Theoretical explanations for negative outcomes have been developed. There is need for models that explain and predict positive outcomes. This article describes the evolution of the Caregiver Empowerment Model (CEM) to explain and predict positive outcomes of family caregiving. Although empirical findings support positive outcomes of family caregiving, less attention has been given to theoretical rationale for positive effects. The CEM predicts that, in the presence of filial values and certain background variables, caregiving demands are appraised as challenges instead of stressors. Appraising caregiving demands as a challenge, finding meaning, and using certain types of coping strategies are posited to be associated with growth and well-being. The CEM extends our understanding of the complexity of the caregiving experience, and can serve as a framework to guide in developing and testing theory-based interventions to promote positive outcomes.

No abstract

No abstract