MULTIDIMENSIONAL PREDICTORS OF CAREGIVER STRAIN AMONG OLDER PERSONS CARING FOR FRAIL SPOUSES

Using data from the National Long-Term Care Channeling Demonstration (1982-84) this study examined the role strain associated with caregiving as experienced by wife (n = 267) and husband (n = 170) caregivers of frail noninstitutionalized elders. Role strain was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct with three domains: emotional, physical, and financial. Results revealed a high prevalence of all three domains of role strain among both spouse groups. Regression analyses indicated that caregiving role demand, role conflict, coping resources, and care recipient characteristics had differential effects on the role strain experienced by husband versus wife caregivers.