Caregiving for elder relatives: Which caregivers experience personal benefits/gains?

Susan Silverberg Koerner, Den Yelle Baete Kenyon, Yumi Shirai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study asks whether the positive, rewarding experiences of caregiving (benefits/gains) emerge merely as a function of caregiver personality, or whether, after personality traits (agreeableness, conscientiousness, extroversion, neuroticism) are taken into account, other interpersonal factors make a difference. Survey data were collected from 63 family caregivers. Bivariate analyses revealed that caregiving benefits/gains were significantly and positively associated with two personality traits (agreeableness, extroversion), family and spouse/partner socio-emotional support, and prior relationship quality. Hierarchical regressions indicated that whereas neither family socio-emotional support nor prior relationship quality significantly predicted variance in caregiving benefits/gains beyond that accounted for by agreeableness and extroversion, spouse/partner socio-emotional support did. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)238-245
Number of pages8
JournalArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Volume48
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Family caregivers
  • Informal care
  • Personality traits
  • Positive aspects of caregiving

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Aging
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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