Harold G Koenig1,2,3,4,5, Bruce Nelson6, Sally F Shaw6, Salil Saxena7, Harvey Jay Cohen2,3. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. 2. Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. 3. Center for Aging and Human Development, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. 4. Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 5. School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, People's Republic of China. 6. Department of Research, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Glendale, California. 7. Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between religious involvement (RI) and adaptation of women caring for family members with severe physical or neurological disability. DESIGN: Two-site cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 251 caregivers was recruited. RI and caregiver adaptation (assessed by perceived stress, caregiver burden, and depressive symptoms) were measured using standard scales, along with caregiver characteristics, social support, and health behaviors. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify relationships and mediating and moderating factors. RESULTS: Religious involvement (RI) was associated with better caregiver adaptation independent of age, race, education, caregiver health, care recipient's health, social support, and health behaviors (B = -0.09, standard error = 0.04, t = -2.08, P = .04). This association was strongest in caregivers aged 58-75 and spouses and for perceived stress in blacks. CONCLUSION: Religious involvement (RI) in female caregivers is associated with better caregiver adaptation, especially for those who are older, spouses of the care recipients, and blacks. These results are relevant to the development of future interventions that provide support to family caregivers.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between religious involvement (RI) and adaptation of women caring for family members with severe physical or neurological disability. DESIGN: Two-site cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 251 caregivers was recruited. RI and caregiver adaptation (assessed by perceived stress, caregiver burden, and depressive symptoms) were measured using standard scales, along with caregiver characteristics, social support, and health behaviors. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify relationships and mediating and moderating factors. RESULTS: Religious involvement (RI) was associated with better caregiver adaptation independent of age, race, education, caregiver health, care recipient's health, social support, and health behaviors (B = -0.09, standard error = 0.04, t = -2.08, P = .04). This association was strongest in caregivers aged 58-75 and spouses and for perceived stress in blacks. CONCLUSION: Religious involvement (RI) in female caregivers is associated with better caregiver adaptation, especially for those who are older, spouses of the care recipients, and blacks. These results are relevant to the development of future interventions that provide support to family caregivers.