End-of-life caregiving: What helps family caregivers cope?

Citation Redinbaugh, E. M. Baum, A., Tarbell, S., & Arnold, R. (2003) End-of-life caregiving: What helps family caregivers cope? Journal of Palliative Medicine, 6 (6), 901-909.

Design Exploratory research

Purpose This study examined the relationships among caregiving stressors, coping, and caregiver strain in a sample of 31 family caregivers and their terminally ill loved ones enrolled in home hospice programs.

Hypothesis N/A

Participants Participants of this study were N=31 pairs of family caregivers and terminally ill patients.

Outcome / Dependent Variables The outcome variable was caregiver strain.

Procedure Data was collected in the patient and caregiver homes. Participants responded to questionnaires administered in an interview format for the patient while the cg completed their questionnaire on their own in a different room.

Outcomes Caregiver strain was significantly correlated with patient ADL needs, patient psychological distress, and patient existential quality of life. There was indication that reframing coping lessened caregiver strain. Caregivers who accepted their loved one’s illness, redefined illness-related problems in a more manageable way, and felt capable of solving illness-related problems had less caregiver strain than caregivers who used less of a reframing coping style.

Author Redinbaugh, E. M. Baum, A., Tarbell, S., & Arnold, R.