Alzheimer's and Related Disorders: LONELINESS, DEPRESSION, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT OF SPOUSAL CAREGIVERS

Teleconferencing is increasingly being used as a medium of delivering social support for dementia caregivers. Further direction is required from pilot studies before the optimal clinical service can be delivered. Following a 6-week pilot support group for spousal caregivers, delivered via teleconferencing software, we interviewed 8 participants for their feedback. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using grounded theory analysis. Themes of “group processes” and “barriers,” containing subcategories of “functions of the group,” “responsibilities of facilitators,” and “barriers to communication” were discussed. According to caregivers, successful teleconferencing support groups should acknowledge the caregiver as the dementia expert, allow participants to meet before the deployment of the support group, provide active facilitation and leadership via the researcher, employ user-friendly technologies, and facilitate for the group to self-maintain following the pilot deployment period. These issues should be taken into consideration when designing future teleconferencing applications for caregivers.

Download Full-text

Gender differences in caregiver strain, needs for support, social support, and quality of life among spousal caregivers of persons with multiple sclerosis

Work ◽

10.3233/wor-152205 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 52 (4) ◽

pp. 777-787 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Eun-Jeong Lee ◽

Jessica Pieczynski ◽

Samantha DeDios-Stern ◽

Camille Simonetti ◽

Gloria K. Lee

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Social Support ◽

Gender Differences ◽

Spousal Caregivers ◽

Caregiver Strain

Download Full-text

The Old-aged Spousal Caregivers′ Care-transition and Health by Gender : Moderating Effects of Social Support

Korean Journal of Gerontological Social Welfare ◽

10.21194/kjgsw.75.4.202012.91 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 75 (4) ◽

pp. 91-116

Author(s):

JuYeon Ryu ◽

MeeHye Kim

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Spousal Caregivers ◽

Care Transition ◽

Moderating Effects

Download Full-text

Attachment style, social support and finding meaning among spouses of colorectal cancer patients: Gender differences

Palliative & Supportive Care ◽

10.1017/s1478951513000242 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 527-535 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon ◽

Gil Goldzweig ◽

Tal Sela-Oren ◽

Noam Pizem ◽

Gil Bar-Sela ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Social Support ◽

Gender Differences ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Attachment Style ◽

Attachment Styles ◽

Spousal Caregivers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Finding Meaning ◽

Colorectal Cancer Patients

AbstractObjectives:The current study explores the relationship between attachment styles, social support, gender and finding meaning in caregiving among spousal caregivers of colorectal cancer patients.Methods:Sixty caregivers (30 men and 30 women) were administered questionnaires assessing attachment styles, social support and finding meaning in caregiving, using a cross-sectional design.Results:For male caregivers avoidance attachment is associated with their finding meaning, whereas for female caregivers social support is associated with their finding meaning.Significance of results:Psychological interventions for caregivers should take into consideration gender differences and might benefit from addressing the process of finding meaning in caregiving.

Download Full-text

A mismatch between supply and demand of social support in dementia care: a qualitative study on the perspectives of spousal caregivers and their social network members

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610217000898 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (6) ◽

pp. 881-892 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Alieske E.H. Dam ◽

Lizzy M.M. Boots ◽

Martin P.J. van Boxtel ◽

Frans R.J. Verhey ◽

Marjolein E. de Vugt

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Social Network ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Supply And Demand ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Dementia Care ◽

Spousal Caregivers ◽

Subjective Experiences ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Care Systems

ABSTRACTBackground:Access to social support contributes to feelings of independence and better social health. This qualitative study aims to investigate multi-informant perspectives on informal social support in dementia care networks.Methods:Ten spousal caregivers of people with dementia (PwD) completed an ecogram, a social network card and a semi-structured interview. The ecogram aimed to trigger subjective experiences regarding social support. Subsequently, 17 network members were interviewed. The qualitative analyses identified codes, categories, and themes.Results:Sixth themes emerged: (1) barriers to ask for support; (2) facilitators to ask for support; (3) barriers to offer support; (4) facilitators to offer support; (5) a mismatch between supply and demand of social support; and (6) openness in communication to repair the imbalance.Discussion:Integrating social network perspectives resulted in a novel model identifying a mismatch between the supply and demand of social support, strengthened by a cognitive bias: caregivers reported to think for other social network members and vice versa. Openness in communication in formal and informal care systems might repair this mismatch.

Download Full-text