THE INFLUENCE OF STRESS AND COPING ON FAMILY CAREGIVERS PERCEPTIONS OF HEALTH

Family members are increasingly assuming a caregiving role for their frail elders. This role, which is added to their other responsibilities, competes for time and attention and may generate stressful situations. Previous research established that stress may have both adaptive and maladaptive effects on individuals. This study examines the extent to which caregivers perceive their situations as stressful, how they cope, and the associated influences of stress and coping on perceptions of their own health. The aim is to identify stressful aspects of caregiving and ways of coping that may be maladaptive for caregivers, placing them at risk for illness and disease.