The positive aspects of caregiving in dementia: A critical review of the qualitative literature

Abstract

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Screening for caregivers at risk: Extended validation of the short version of the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers (BSFC-s) with a valid classification system for caregivers caring for an older person at home

“…One example of this is the recommendations for interpretation of the frequently used Zarit Burden Interview [34]. However, the results of our study indicate that burdens and benefits are two different constructs, as presumed by Lloyd, Patterson and Muers [33]. The non-significant correlations between the BSFC-s with the ADL and IADL caregiving items also confirmed our hypotheses about the discriminant validity of the BSFC-s.…”

“…It is important to take into consideration that to date, the benefits arising from the care situation and the burden on the informal CGs have been viewed as two ends of one continuum [33]. One example of this is the recommendations for interpretation of the frequently used Zarit Burden Interview [34].…”

Internal resources among informal caregivers: trajectories and associations with well-being

“…One qualitative study of caregivers of seniors with chronic conditions identified both barriers and facilitators of resilience, with caregivers’ sense of control, mastery, and support (or lack thereof) playing a role in both categories [40]. Importantly, many caregivers report positive changes or growth due to caregiving, even while reporting high levels of burden [1–3]. Helping caregiver to bolster their internal resources, or leverage their existing strengths, may improve resilience or benefit finding, or otherwise mitigate some of the potentially deleterious effects of caregiving stress.…”

“…While many caregivers find benefits in the experience, such as a sense of purpose [1; 2], many also report feeling stressed or burdened by their role [3]. Moreover, some caregivers experience serious problems like depression [4].…”

Preliminary Evidence for the Validity and Reliability of the Caregiver Reaction Scale

“…Assessing PAC is important because many caregivers report deriving meaning or purpose from caregiving in ways that may ameliorate or compensate for the negative aspects of the experience, may help identify caregivers with low risk for negative outcomes, and may support the implementation of clinical interventions (Carbonneau et al, 2010;Connell et al, 2001;Farran et al, 1999;Liu & Gallagher-Thompson, 2009;Lloyd et al, 2014;Schulze & Rossler, 2005;Rapp & Chao, 2000). Some measures of PAC such as the Positive Aspects of Caregiving (Tarlow et al, 2004) and the Gain in Alzheimer care INstrument (GAIN; Yap et al, 2010), were designed specifically to assess PAC in dementia carers and may not fully capture the experience of other caregivers (i.e., carers of those with chronic physical illness; Lloyd et al, 2014).…”