Family Caregiving to Those With Dementia in Rural Alabama

Abstract

This study explored differences and similarities in the experiences of African American and White family caregivers of dementia patients living in rural Alabama. This cross-sectional survey used a caregiving stress model to investigate the interrelationships between caregiving burden, mediators, and outcomes. Random-digit-dialing telephone interviews were used to obtain data on a probability sample of 74 non-Hispanic White and 67 African American caregivers. White caregivers were more likely to be married and older, used acceptance and humor as coping styles, and had fewer financial problems. African American caregivers gave more hours of care, used religion and denial as coping styles, and were less burdened. The authors have developed a methodology for obtaining a representative sample of African American and White rural caregivers. Further investigations are needed of the interactions between urban/rural location and ethnic/racial backgrounds of dementia caregivers for heuristic and applied reasons.

Too Much of a Good Thing?: Positive Religious Coping Predicts Worse Diurnal Salivary Cortisol Patterns for Overwhelmed African American Female Dementia Family Caregivers

“…Thus, the critical question becomes: Is the ethnic disparity found in cortisol responses a product of unique (and potentially adverse) forms of RCOPE or unique health risks among highly religious AAs? Along these lines, Kosberg et al (19) found that AA caregivers scored higher on religious and denial coping than White caregivers suggesting that highly religious AA caregivers may indeed be using less effective coping methods to deal with daily stressors.…”

Racial and Ethnic Disparities Among Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease in the United States: A Literature Review

“…African-American and white caregivers have notable differences in coping mechanisims, as well as in monetary costs and time commitments (Kosberg, Kaufman, Burgio, Leeper, & Sun, 2007). White caregivers are more likely to cope by relying on humor and acceptance, whereas African-American caregivers reportedly rely more on religion and denial to maneuver through the caregiving experience.…”

“…White caregivers are more likely to cope by relying on humor and acceptance, whereas African-American caregivers reportedly rely more on religion and denial to maneuver through the caregiving experience. Additionally, white caregivers experience less financial burden, and African-American caregivers contribute more time to caring for the care recepient (Kosberg et al, 2007).…”

Correlations among Coping Skills and Life Satisfaction in Ethnic Older Caregivers

“…Some research suggests that the coping styles employed are similar across ethnicities (Barber, 2002;McCallum, Longmire, & Knight, 2007), while other studies report there indeed exist discrepancies (Knight & McCallum, 1998;Kosberg, Kaufman, Burgio, Leeper, & Sun, 2007;Pinquart & Sorensen, 2005;Sun, Kosberg, Leeper, Kaufman, & Burgio, 2010). Researchers who have found variations in coping styles suggest certain ethnic groups have higher rates of using emotion-focused coping than non-Hispanic Whites (Knight, et al, 1998;Kosberg, et al, 2007;Pinquart, et al, 2005;Sun, et al, 2010;Trail Ross, & Aday, 2006;Wykle, & Segall, 1991). NonHispanic Whites have been found to seek assistance from support groups and receive other forms of help from mental health professionals more often than other ethnicities (Montoro-Rodriguez, & Gallagher-Thompson, 2009).…”

“…Caregivers who identify as African American have been shown to use different coping styles than Non-Hispanic White caregivers (Knight, et al, 1998;Kosberg, et al, 2007;Pinquart, et al, 2005;Sun, et al, 2010;Trail Ross, et al, 2006;Wykle, et al, 1991). One of the coping methods used more frequently by this group is the use of religion (Haley, et al, 1996;Kosberg, et al, 2007;Pinquart, et al, 2005;Sun, et al, 2010;Wykle, et al, 1991).…”