Alzheimer's aggression: influences on caregiver coping and resilience

J Gerontol Soc Work. 2011 Apr;54(3):260-75. doi: 10.1080/01634372.2010.544531.

Abstract

This study assessed impact of Alzheimer's patients' aggressive behavior (AD aggression) on caregiver coping strategies (task-, emotion-, and avoidance-focused) and caregiver resilience, and examined whether coping strategy moderated the AD aggression-caregiver resilience relationship. Informal caregivers across Louisiana (N = 419) completed surveys with measures of demographics, AD aggression, caregiver coping strategies, and caregiver resilience. Task-focused coping positively related to resilience. Aggression negatively predicted caregiver resilience. Emotion- and avoidance-focused coping strategies separately interacted with aggression and increased its negative relationship to caregiver resilience. Task-focused coping showed no moderation. Implications for social work professionals are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Aggression / psychology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology*
  • Caregivers* / psychology
  • Caregivers* / standards
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Problem Solving
  • Professional Competence / standards
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Resilience, Psychological*
  • Social Work / standards*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires