Ethnic Differences in the Impact of Psychosocial Resources on Well-Being of Family Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia

The onset of dementia represents a major life stressor for the individual and for the family system. In each family there tends to be a primary caregiver who experiences significant challenges in this role, which may be physical or psychosocial in nature. This study utilized archival data from the Resources to Enhance Alzheimer Caregiver Health (REACH II) study (N = 643) with caregivers from five states to examine the impact of self-care behaviors and psychosocial resources on caregiver well-being. This study explored caregiving as dynamic in nature, in that it required continuous adaptation to the increasingly complex needs of the care receiver. The caregiver used both internal and external personal resources to maintain well-being, thus enabling him or her to be most effective at providing care. Various theories and models of the stress process associated with caregiving were examined, as were the roles of common constructs that mediate the stresses experienced by the caregiver. Of primary interest was the influence of the caregiver lifestyle or self-care behaviors on his or her well-being. The role of participation in social activity, religious activities, and social support, were examined. The outcome of interest in this study was overall well-being of the caregiver, as measured by perceived benefits or positive aspects of caregiving, as well as overall well-being as shown by levels of physical health and depression. These outcome measures were conceptualized as indicators of adaptation to the caregiver role. This study found that these caregiver-driven resources provided a mediating impact on the effects of caregiving stress on well-being, providing a path through which less negative effects on well-being were experienced. Secondarily, the role of race or ethnicity on the perception of the caregiver role and its responsibilities, and the overall effect on the experience was examined. There were differences noted in the levels of mediation provided by psychosocial resources, with African American caregivers experiencing a lower benefit from these resources than their White counterparts. Finally, the study explored the differences among racial/ethnic groups in objective stress experienced, psychosocial resources, as well as reported well-being. The results showed that African American caregivers experienced significantly more stress, yet experienced significantly higher levels of well-being compared to White caregivers. African American caregivers also reported higher levels of psychosocial resources than White caregivers. Results from this study provided information that was largely generalizable to caregivers in the US, and contributed to the literature on policies and interventions for caregiver health and well-being.