Gain in the caregiving experience: where are we? What next?

This critical review of 29 studies published through 1996 on the gain experienced among informal caregivers of older adults, identifies 13 conceptual (i.e., definitions and theoretical frameworks) and methodological (i.e., sampling, design, measurement, analysis) observations. Key limitations of prior research are highlighted and recommendations necessary for the advancement of research in this area of inquiry are made. Drawing upon relevant theoretical frameworks and the observations noted in this review, a conceptual framework is proposed to bring some consistency to the ways in which future research on positive aspects of caregiving proceeds.