A Multidimensional Examination of the Psychological and Social Well-Being of Caregivers of a Demented Relative

Abstract

This article focuses on a detailed examination of stressors, their appraised disturbance and a broad range of resources as well as on an assessment of their relationships with five dimensions of psycho-social well-being. Caregivers (n = 265) who cohabit with a demented relative composed the sample. The results indicate the importance of a multidimensional examination of both factors and well-being. Indeed, the saliency of the occurrence of the stressor and the degree of its disturbance seem to depend on the meaning of the stressor and/or its predictability/unpredictability in relation to a specific dimension of well-being. Only one stressor, the occurrence of disruptive behaviors, is linked to three dimensions of well-being (psychological distress, negative and positive feelings about the caregiver role). Stressors/appraisal factors are most often associated with negative indicators of psychological well-being (psychological distress and negative feelings about the caregiver role) than with positive indicators (positive affect and positive feelings about the caregiver role). Moreover, positive resources are linked to positive indicators of psychological well-being while negative resources emerged as relevant for negative indicators.