A correlational study of the applicability of the factors indentified in the McCubbin Resiliency Model to family caregivers for persons with alzheimer's disease

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease -- Patients -- Care -- Psychological aspects, Caregivers -- Psychological aspects

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among the factors identified in the McCubbin ( 1993) Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation (MRM) to determine the applicability of the model to caregivers for a family member with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The MRM was developed to describe the factors that influence the family's ability to adapt to a stressful situation over time. The applicability of the MRM to family caregivers in which a family member suffers from progressive dementia, or AD, has not been evaluated.

Data were collected through a mail survey sent to 300 family caregivers of persons with AD on the mailing list of a local AD service organization. An anonymous random sample of 43 family caregivers was obtained. Participants completed a demographic tool and two interval level scales developed by McCubbin and colleagues; the Family Index of Regenerativity and Adaptation General (FIRA-G) and the Family Member Well-being Index (FMWB). The instruments measured the association between MRM's independent variables (Stressors, Strains, Social Support, Coping, Coherence, Relative and Friend Support, and Hardiness) and MRM's dependent variables (Family Member Well-Being and Distress). The relationships between the scores of the FIRA-G and the FMWB were determined by Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Significant relationships were found between the factors identified in the MRM.

The findings in this study suggest that significant relationships exist among the factors identified in the MRM and that the MRM maybe useful in studying AD populations. Ultimately, the use of the MRM may improve healthcare providers' ability to recognize and treat caregiver stress, which will in turn improve the home care of patients with AD.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1998

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Crigger, Nancy J.

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Health and Public Affairs

Department

Nursing

Format

Print

Pages

144 p.

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0022660

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Health and Public Affairs; Health and Public Affairs -- Dissertations, Academic

Accessibility Status

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