Research Output per year
Abstract
Objective: Caring for someone with dementia can have negative consequences for caregivers, a phenomenon known as caregiver burden. Coping strategies influence the impact of caregiving-related stress. Specifically, using emotion-focused strategies has been associated with lower levels of burden, whereas dysfunctional strategies have been related to increased burden. The concept of self-compassion has been linked to both positive outcomes and the
coping strategies that are most advantageous to caregivers. However, as yet, no research has studied self-compassion in caregivers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between self-compassion, coping strategies and caregiver burden in dementia caregivers.
Method: Cross-sectional survey data was collected from 73 informal caregivers of people with dementia recruited from post-diagnostic support services and caregiver support groups.
Results: Self-compassion was found to be negatively related to caregiver burden and dysfunctional coping strategies and positively related to emotion-focused coping strategies. Dysfunctional strategies mediated the relationship between self-compassion and caregiver burden, whereas emotion-focused strategies did not.
Conclusion: Caregivers with higher levels of self-compassion report lower levels of burden and this is at least partly due to the use of less dysfunctional coping strategies.
Clinical Implications: Interventions that develop self-compassion could represent a useful intervention for struggling caregivers.
coping strategies that are most advantageous to caregivers. However, as yet, no research has studied self-compassion in caregivers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between self-compassion, coping strategies and caregiver burden in dementia caregivers.
Method: Cross-sectional survey data was collected from 73 informal caregivers of people with dementia recruited from post-diagnostic support services and caregiver support groups.
Results: Self-compassion was found to be negatively related to caregiver burden and dysfunctional coping strategies and positively related to emotion-focused coping strategies. Dysfunctional strategies mediated the relationship between self-compassion and caregiver burden, whereas emotion-focused strategies did not.
Conclusion: Caregivers with higher levels of self-compassion report lower levels of burden and this is at least partly due to the use of less dysfunctional coping strategies.
Clinical Implications: Interventions that develop self-compassion could represent a useful intervention for struggling caregivers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 47-59 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Clinical Gerontologist |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 3 May 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2019 |
Keywords
- Caregivers
- caregiver burden
- coping strategies
- dementia
- self-compassion
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Health(social science)
- Clinical Psychology
- Gerontology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
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Research Output
- 12 Citations
- 2 Article
Meditation-based interventions for family caregivers of people with dementia: a review of the empirical literature
Hurley, R. V. C., Patterson, T. & Cooley, S. J., 2014, In : Aging & Mental Health. 18, 3, p. 281-288Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Open Access
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21
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63
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The positive aspects of caregiving in dementia: A critical review of the qualitative literature
Lloyd, J., Patterson, T. & Muers, J., 29 Dec 2014, In : Dementia. 15, 6, p. 1534-1561 28 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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77
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552
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