Jennifer Duncan Davis1,2, Benjamin D Hill3, Sarah Pillemer1,2, Joshua Taylor3, Geoffrey Tremont1,2. 1. a Department of Psychiatry , Rhode Island Hospital , Providence , RI , USA. 2. b Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior , Alpert Medical School of Brown University , Providence , RI , USA. 3. c Department of Psychology , University of South Alabama , Mobile , AL , USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Guilt is a core feature of dementia caregivers' experiences following placement. This study describes and validates a new assessment tool for monitoring caregiver adjustment after placement. METHODS: Forty-six items addressing ambivalence and guilt about placement were tested with 170 dementia caregivers (M age = 56.79, SD = 13.19; 69.4% female; 54.7% adult child). RESULTS: Using principal axis factor analysis, 10 items were retained that showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of 0.92). Construct validity was established in a subset of the sample (n = 53) with measures of depression (r = 0.53), burden (r = 0.48), conflict with staff (r = 0.47), and well-being (r = -0.30). CONCLUSIONS: This scale may be used to identify caregivers at risk for adjustment problems following placement and to monitor adjustment over time.
OBJECTIVE: Guilt is a core feature of dementia caregivers' experiences following placement. This study describes and validates a new assessment tool for monitoring caregiver adjustment after placement. METHODS: Forty-six items addressing ambivalence and guilt about placement were tested with 170 dementia caregivers (M age = 56.79, SD = 13.19; 69.4% female; 54.7% adult child). RESULTS: Using principal axis factor analysis, 10 items were retained that showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of 0.92). Construct validity was established in a subset of the sample (n = 53) with measures of depression (r = 0.53), burden (r = 0.48), conflict with staff (r = 0.47), and well-being (r = -0.30). CONCLUSIONS: This scale may be used to identify caregivers at risk for adjustment problems following placement and to monitor adjustment over time.
Entities:
Keywords:
Caregiving and interventions; coping; dementia and cognitive disorders; mental health