TY - JOUR
T1 - Accentuate the Positive
T2 - The Association Between Informal and Formal Supports and Caregiving Gains
AU - Leggett, Amanda N.
AU - Meyer, Oanh L.
AU - Bugajski, Benjamin C.
AU - Polenick, Courtney A.
PY - 2020/1/1
Y1 - 2020/1/1
N2 - Background: To promote resilience among caregivers for persons living with dementia (PLWDs), we examine how formal and informal supports are linked to caregiving gains, and whether gender moderates the association between supports and gains. Method: Using the National Health and Aging Trends Study and associated National Study of Caregiving, sources of informal (emotional support, practical support, and help with the PLWD) and formal support (respite care, training program, support group) are considered as predictors of caregiving gains, with gender as a moderator of these associations. The sample included 707 caregivers for 502 PLWDs. Results: Greater caregiving gains were significantly associated with emotional support from friends/family (β = 0.14, SE = 0.09, p =.03). Furthermore, attending a caregiver training program was only associated with increased caregiving gains among men (β = 0.11, SE = 0.08, p =.02). Conclusion: Emotional support from family/friends appears particularly consequential for caregiving gains, and male caregivers may benefit most from programs that emphasize skill building.
AB - Background: To promote resilience among caregivers for persons living with dementia (PLWDs), we examine how formal and informal supports are linked to caregiving gains, and whether gender moderates the association between supports and gains. Method: Using the National Health and Aging Trends Study and associated National Study of Caregiving, sources of informal (emotional support, practical support, and help with the PLWD) and formal support (respite care, training program, support group) are considered as predictors of caregiving gains, with gender as a moderator of these associations. The sample included 707 caregivers for 502 PLWDs. Results: Greater caregiving gains were significantly associated with emotional support from friends/family (β = 0.14, SE = 0.09, p =.03). Furthermore, attending a caregiver training program was only associated with increased caregiving gains among men (β = 0.11, SE = 0.08, p =.02). Conclusion: Emotional support from family/friends appears particularly consequential for caregiving gains, and male caregivers may benefit most from programs that emphasize skill building.
KW - caregiving gains
KW - caregiving support services
KW - dementia caregiving
KW - informal support
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85084555479&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85084555479&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0733464820914481
DO - 10.1177/0733464820914481
M3 - Article
C2 - 32326797
AN - SCOPUS:85084555479
JO - Journal of Applied Gerontology
JF - Journal of Applied Gerontology
SN - 0733-4648
ER -