MARITAL HISTORY AND THE PRIOR RELATIONSHIP AS PREDICTORS OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE OUTCOMES AMONG WIFE CAREGIVERS

Guided by the resiliency model of family stress, adjustment, and adaptation, this study investigated interpersonal vulnerability variables (i.e., marital history and quality of the relationship prior to onset of Alzheimer's disease), caregiver resources, and appraisals of stressors as predictors of both positive and negative outcomes among 72 wife caregivers. All of these variables were significant predictors of depression and quality of life even after controlling for caregiver stress. Stressors and interpersonal variables were most important in the prediction of caregiving satisfaction. The implications of these findings for service providers are discussed.