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Caregiver Self-Efficacy, Ethnicity, and Kinship Differences in Dementia Caregivers

Received September 17, 2003; revised May 7, July 9, 2004; accepted July 14, 2004. From the Older Adult and Family Center, VA Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, and the Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA (CD, LT, YR, DGT), Univ. of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (KS), Hospice/Palliative Care, Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA (JKG), and the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Palo Alto, CA (LT, YR). Send correspondence and reprint requests to Dolores Gallagher-Thompson, Ph.D., Older Adult and Family Center, VA Medical Center and Stanford University School of Medicine, Mail Code 182C/MP, 795 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025. e-mail: dolorest{at}stanford.edu
© 2005 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry

Objective: The authors sought to determine the effect of kinship status (daughters versus wives) and ethnicity (Hispanic/Latino versus Caucasian) on self-efficacy to perform tasks relevant to caregiving in a sample of family caregivers for people with memory problems. Methods: Baseline data were collected from 238 female caregivers who participated in an intervention program. Ethnic and kin relationship groups were compared on measures of caregiver self-efficacy, acculturation within the Hispanic/Latino sample, and the relationship of self-efficacy to key outcome variables. Results: Hispanics/Latinos reported higher self-efficacy on two of three self-efficacy subscales (Responding to Disruptive Behaviors and Controlling Negative Thoughts About Caregiving). Daughters reported higher self-efficacy on all three self-efficacy scales. Among Hispanics/Latinos, acculturation did not relate strongly to self-efficacy. Caucasian and spousal caregivers appeared to make more generalized appraisals about caregiving. Conclusion: Higher self-efficacy among Hispanic/Latino caregivers may relate to cultural values about caregiving and/or ethnic differences in appraisal. Wives may be more at risk for low self-efficacy, which may relate to greater role frustration and distress. This study highlights the heterogeneity among caregivers in their experience of caregiving.

Key Words: Dementia • Caregivers • Self-Efficacy • Ethnicity Factors