Intervention effects on dementia caregiving interaction: a stress-adaptation modeling approach

Abstract

Objectives: Our purpose was to evaluate the adequacy of a stress adaptation framework for guiding intervention research on caregivers and patients coping with Alzheimer's disease, and to test the effect of a cognitive stimulation intervention as an interactive outcome.

Methods: Using a repeated measures design, 87 caregiver-patient dyads were randomized to one of three conditions: active cognitive stimulation, passive stimulation, or control. Assessments occurred at preintervention, postintervention (3 months), and 9 months.

Results: The LISREL model was entirely satisfactory by the chi-square goodness-of-fit criteria. However, the coefficients associated with the paths between the mediating concepts and the dyadic interaction differed significantly at 3 months and 9 months. The intervention group caregivers were shown to be more satisfied with their interaction with the impaired member.

Discussion: The improvement in caregiver satisfaction was attributed to an attenuation of the behavioral stressor effects through increased use of a problem-focused coping strategy, namely, positive reappraisal of the stressful situation.