The role of religion/spirituality in coping with caregiving for disabled elders

Gerontologist. 1998 Aug;38(4):463-70. doi: 10.1093/geront/38.4.463.

Abstract

This study examined how religious/spiritual coping was related to specific conditions of caregiving and psychological distress among 127 informal caregivers to community-residing disabled elders. Support was found for the hypothesis that religious/spiritual coping influences caregiver distress indirectly through the quality of the relationship between caregiver and care recipient. Caregivers who used religious or spiritual beliefs to cope with caregiving had a better relationship with care recipients, which was associated with lower levels of depression and role submersion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Disabled Persons / psychology*
  • Female
  • Frail Elderly / psychology*
  • Home Nursing / psychology
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Massachusetts
  • Middle Aged
  • Religion and Psychology*