EXPANDING THE CONCEPTUALIZATION OF CAREGIVER COPING - THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIP-FOCUSED COPING STRATEGIES

A stress and coping model was used to study predictors of individual differences in caregiver depression and satisfaction among 72 wife caregivers of husbands with Alzheimer's disease. Although researchers have primarily focused on problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies, this study examined an additional function of caregiver coping (i.e., relationship-focused) that is aimed at maintaining and regulating social relationships. Findings support the need for expansion of the conceptualization of caregiver coping to include interpersonal dimensions. The implications of these findings for service providers are discussed.