Influence of neuroticism, ethnicity, familism, and social support on perceived burden in dementia caregivers: pilot test of the transactional stress and social support model

J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2005 Nov;60(6):P331-P334. doi: 10.1093/geronb/60.6.p331.

Abstract

In this study we assessed the new transactional stress and social support model, postulating the role of neuroticism, ethnicity, familism, and social support in perceived burden in dementia caregivers. We used a convenience sample (N=77) of African American and White dementia caregivers. Results substantiated interrelationships among social support variables, and the influence of perceived positive social support on burden. Neuroticism was related to the perception of positive social support and burden. Results corroborated the model, focusing on neuroticism and quality of social support in modeling perceived burden in family caregivers. Findings call attention to the role of presumably long-standing individual differences in neuroticism that influence caregiver appraisals of stress and social support.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / ethnology
  • Alzheimer Disease / nursing*
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology
  • Black People / psychology*
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Cost of Illness*
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Dementia, Vascular / ethnology
  • Dementia, Vascular / nursing*
  • Dementia, Vascular / psychology
  • Family Relations*
  • Female
  • Home Nursing / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Individuality
  • Lewy Body Disease / ethnology
  • Lewy Body Disease / nursing*
  • Lewy Body Disease / psychology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Statistical
  • Neurotic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Neurotic Disorders / ethnology
  • Neurotic Disorders / psychology*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Stress, Psychological / complications*
  • Transactional Analysis
  • White People / psychology*