183556 Impact of Spiritual Well-Being and Social Support on Caregiver Well-Being Among Grandparent and Other Kinship Caregivers – NEW PRESENTER

Wednesday, October 29, 2008: 12:50 PM

Clemelia Richardson, PhD, LCSW , Bureau of Human Services, Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Houston, TX
NEW PRESENTER - Sources estimate that 1.3 to 2.4 million children live with relatives, separate from their biological parents. Historically in African societies, kinship care blends extended family units, spirituality and social support. Currently, kinship care is overrepresented among African Americans. These households are primarily headed by grandmothers with limited financial resources and various health conditions. This dissertation research explored the relationship between spiritual well-being and social support on caregiver well-being among a group of grandparent and other kinship caregivers within a strengths framework.

This exploratory study surveyed 75 caregivers who completed the Caregiver Well-Being Scale, the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, and the Family Support Scale. Findings revealed “high” levels of spiritual well-being, “moderate” levels of social support, and “high” well-being with respect to their caregiving role. There were no significant relationships among spiritual well-being, social support, and caregiver well-being. However, there were significant relationships when intervening variables were controlled for. Significant relationships were found between 1) caregiver well-being and household income; 2) spiritual well-being and length of time kinship care children resided in caregivers' home; 3) social support and household income; and 4) social support and length of time kinship care children resided in caregivers' home. Internal consistency reliability was demonstrated for the instruments.

Implications for social work practice, policy and research include:

1. Culturally competent practices addressing caregivers' diverse needs;

2. Uniformity of policies impacting kinship caregivers and foster parents; and

3. Longitudinal, comparative and qualitative research to improve service interventions and provide a foundation for future empirical examination.

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the demographics of grandparents and other kinship caregivers 2. Identify three factors that impact caregiver well-being 3. Articulate three ways to improve services to this population

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a new presenter, I welcome the opportunity to discuss my dissertation research. My original research is about the well-being of kinship and other relative caregivers. My doctoral studies provided empirical and advanced social work knowledge which broadened my skill set as a practitioner, researcher and administrator. As a licensed clinical social worker, I have provided an array of behavioral health and case management services with various groups. I currently provide clinical oversight for public health and social services with diverse populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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