Demographic and situational predictors of typologies of caregiver stress

Purpose: This study identifies types of caregiver stress and the demographic and situational predictors of three types of stress.

Method: The sample of caregivers (169) was recruited from community events and via direct mail. They completed the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (ZCBS) and provided information about their demographic characteristics and care giving situations with a self-administered questionnaire.

Results: The average age of the caregiver was 60.1 years (SD=12); 69.2% were white; 61.3% were employed, 80% were female, and 34.3% were sole caregivers; 63.1% provided care six or more days a week. The average ZCBS score was 59.28 (SD=15.3); 42% had scores indicating moderate to severe burden and 46.2% had scores indicating severe burden.

The average age of the relative being cared for (RBCFs) was 83.2 years (SD=8); 67.9% were women; 54.2% live with their caregiver, 30.7% live independently, and 15.1% live in a nursing home, assisted-living facility, or elsewhere.

Exploratory factor analysis resulted in three types of stress: Personal Stress, Feelings of Inadequacy, and Financial Concerns. All Cronbach alphas were .81 or higher. Increased personal stress was associated with sole care giving (p<.01) and more days of care (p<.05) (R2=.17, p<.001). Feelings of inadequacy were stronger when the caregiver did not live with the RBCFs (R2= .09, p<.001). Financial concerns were associated with younger RBCFs (p.<.01), more days of care (p<.01), and sole care giving (p>.01) (R2=.22, p<.001).

Conclusion: Caregivers tend to feel moderate to severe stress. Specific situational factors influence the three types of stress that caregivers experience.